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Four Months After Date 






I 















































* 









“/ know something I am dying to say. 


{Frontispiece.)- 


‘‘FOUR MONTHS 
AFTER DATE” 


A Business Romance 


BY 




RANDALL IRVING TYLER 


FULL- PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS 
BT HAVELKA 


J® 


STUYVESANT PUBLISHING COMPANY 
253 Broadway, New York 


Copyright 1898 
By the Author 



TWO COPItS RECEIVED* 


CaW V% °\% 

PRESS OF REDFIELD BrJA, NEW YORK 


Full-Page Illustrations 


asb 

“ I know something I am dying 

to say” . . . Frontispiece 

“ — And spoon and spoon” . . 25 

“Mr. Burt?” inquired the stun- 
ning person .... 75 

“How are you fixed ? ” . .125 

“You mustn't monopolize my star 

guest” . . . . .191 

“It is work I am proud to do” . 241 


'/ 


“Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER I. 

When Billy Burt got married he was a hun- 
dred thousand dollars in debt. 

There is a difference between owing a certain 
sum and being in debt that certain sum; for the 
term “in debt” contains within itself possibilities 
in the way of hopelessness to which the ordinary 
“owing” of money must ever be a stranger. 

Billy Burt was in debt. He constantly accu- 
mulated debt just as some men acquire fortune. 
Year by year his debts seemed to increase, while 
all the time he tried to fool himself that he was 
“getting his foot on” things. 

Burt never calculated his debts with accuracy. 
He couldn’t; there were too many of them. Most 
of his indebtedness consisted of personal assump- 
tion of the obligations of unfortunate business 
ventures of which he was, or had been, the mov- 
ing spirit. It is true, comparatively little of the 
debt was legally Burt’s, but that made no differ- 


8 


“Four Months After Date” 


ence to him. He assumed everything in the 
shape of unsettled claim or loss of investnemt 
and called it his debt. Assuming obligations and 
staggering around under them became a sort of 
fad. Possessed of an apparently unlimited ca- 
pacity for “standing grief,” he relied with su- 
preme cheerfulness on himself and his future and 
piled up debt. 

Billy Burt had brought one hundred and 
seven dollars with him when he emigrated from 
the farm to the city at the age of fifteen. This 
was money he had earned by building fences and 
painting barns, for even at an early age Billy 
was a hustler. Within a month a seductive op- 
portunity for investing the hundred and seven 
dollars came along and Billy invested it and lost. 
A week later he was insolvent to the extent of a 
few dollars and never recovered the lost ground. 

Billy had to “chip in” at home from the first, 
for the family fortunes were not bright. This 
he did with characteristic cheerfulness. In fact 
he began early to overload himself. 

The men who as boys leave rural districts, 
struggle through the first years of life in the city 
on a basis of rigid economy, and by this means 
pay off the mortgage on the home farm, are 
heroes. Billy wasn’t that kind. He always 
earned more, spent more, and undertook more 
than other boys. His expenditures always grew in 
quick response to increase of income, generally 
in anticipation thereof. Frugality, except that 


“Four Months After Date” 


9 

enforced by lack of the wherewithal, he knew 
not. He didn’t want to know it. He wouldn’t 
get acquainted with it. Possessed of supreme con- 
fidence in himself, in his luck, in his own energy, 
Burt calmly put in the first thirteen years of his 
life in New York in accumulating debt, fully ex- 
pecting to pay everybody, and at twenty-eight he 
married! 

It was not merely business matters as boy and 
man that educated Burt to rely on himself. Even 
his experience at school was a sort of luck that 
kept him in classes several years ahead of other 
boys, for he never was studious and possessed 
only ordinary quickness of perception. 

Always the youngest in his classes he never 
was at the head, apparently, because he never 
tried to be. Entirely satisfied to be about half 
way to the top, he never tried for and never 
secured a prize at school. 

Ambitious, too, he was ; but a certain diffidence 
prevented him from making himself too promi- 
nent. Then, too, it was much nicer to spend 
time at outdoor games or reading tales of adven- 
ture than poring over school books. At thirteen 
he left school with a fairly good superficial start 
in general acquirements about equivalent to the 
ordinary sophomore year. From that time on he 
read everything he could borrow in the way of 
books, good, bad and worse. 

More than likely the reason Burt didn’t com- 
mit the folly of marrying earlier in life than 


io “Four Months After Date” 

twenty-eight was the accident of not encounter- 
ing the right woman. The girl he married knew 
that he was hopelessly in debt and was willing to 
be his wife. She was the only woman Burt ever 
loved and the daughter of a minister. 

Billy had had little idea of marrying because 
he knew that, however complacent he might be 
about his debts, he could hardly think of asking 
any woman to join hands with him in the strug- 
gle; but when he found himself in love with Alice 
Warren he told her everything that was proper to 
tell an innocent girl, and hinted humbly at the 
things that couldn’t be told, and she, by virtue 
of those unaccountable impulses that continu- 
ally influence women, had grown to love Billy 
Burt and married him, debts and all, and the 
jolly party of a dozen of Billy’s friends who went 
with him six hundred miles to help him get mar- 
ried, taking two whole days out of their lives to 
give cheerful Billy “a good send-off,” still refer 
to that glorious September wedding day among 
the hills as the most perfect in the calendar and 
the whole occasion, trip and all, as the epitome 
of joy. 

And Billy and Alice — had they any misgiv- 
ings? Not one. Billy because he didn’t know 
the sensation, and Alice didn’t have any because 
Billy didn’t. 

As to looks, Billy was not showy. His face, 
however, was like his disposition, good natured. 
But if Billy was plain, Alice was pretty, and 


“Four Months After Date” 1 1 

possessed a very remarkable pair of big gray 
eyes. Tall and well formed, she wore her gowns 
with a characteristic style which Billy thought 
perfection. 

And so Alice, the modest, the innocent, the 
economical, the systematic, mar- 
ried Billy, the cheerful, and they 
took up their abode in the big 
city in Billy’s bachelor quarters 
and began an ideal Bohemian 
life. They dined and break- 
fasted wherever the spirit led, 
sometimes at Delmonico’s and 
sometimes at Dennett’s ; but 
generally contriving to spend a 
little more than their income. 

Not that Alice knew this; she 
didn’t even know how much the 
income was, except that some 
mention of salary was occa- 
sionally made ; but there was 
thought to be additional revenue 
from Billy’s business, and Billy 
vaguely thought there was, too, 
though his view of it was through such a maze 
of promissory notes, that pinned down to facts 
his ideas would have been very misty. Then 
as always the irregular remittances went out to 
help things along at the farm, and the irregular 
daily programme was carried out and everybody 
was happy and hopeful and hard up. 



12 “Four Months After Date” 


To spend more than he makes is for a time an 
easy proposition for a man with an ordinary line 
of credit and a fair reputation. After a period the 
shifting of tradesmen’s accounts into a substantial 
loan, by which the whole matter is funded at so 
much per cent., is not difficult either, to such a 
man. This process may be repeated once or even 
twice, but along there somewhere it becomes 
necessary to make a coup of some kind to ease 
things down, and failure to make such a coup in- 
troduces complications. 

Now, of course, the normal procedure to the 
healthy-minded man would be to restrict expen- 
diture and keep it within bounds at all hazards, 
or if some imperative demand arise there is usu- 
ally a way to provide for it without constant over- 
reaching. The normally-minded man capable of 
executing a coup , or making a deal of moment, 
would naturally realize first and distribute after- 
ward. This, however, was never the method of 
our friend Burt, if, indeed, he had any method. 
He was always wondering why he never made 
his money until after it was spent. Realization of 
profit was a mere incident to Burt, a matter of 
course, and the usual disbursements were made 
with little regard to such realization. 

It was doubtful if there were a dozen weeks in 
Burt’s business life that his salary was not drawn 
and disbursed at some date prior to the day set 
apart in his concern for the weekly walk of the 
“ghost.” It was either a feast or a famine with 


“Four Months After Date” 13 

him, and frequently the extremes were very close 
together. 

At an early period in Burt’s career, when he 
was for a time seeking fortune in the western 
country, he found himself one morning two thou- 
sand miles from home and friends, entirely with- 
out money or valuables of any kind. The mat- 
ter of employment being a hard question to solve 
with readiness, Billy proceeded to lodge his coat 
with a custodian of personal property doing busi- 
ness under the sign of three gilt balls, and with 
the solitary dollar resulting from the transaction 
provided himself with a good breakfast at sev- 
enty-five cents and two cigars for the remaining 
quarter. It was forty-eight hours before Billy 
ate again, and on the interim history toucheth 
not; but not long after this he found his way back 
to New York, more experienced but uncon- 
vinced. 

As the years rolled away a constant increase 
of income in one way or another came to Burt, 
but there also came to him a more than corre- 
sponding increase in disbursement, so that in al- 
most any year the increase of income would have 
been sufficient to have carried with ease the pre- 
vious year’s expense, but was invariably inade- 
quate to satisfy current demands. 

There were whole years of Burt’s life in which, 
every day, there lurked possibilities of such com- 
plete disaster that recovery in any degree would 
be doubtful. Yet instead of providing against 


14 “Four Months After Date” 

the mental dissolution and financial breakdown 
which constantly faced him, he merely smoked a 
little better grade of cigars and a few more of 
them, and arguing that he had always pulled 
through and would this time, proceeded to battle 
with the tide. 

On some occasions, however, Burt went 
through all the bitterness of death as the hour 
for final settlement of maturing obligations ap- 
proached painfully near and protest and disaster 
appeared but a few r minutes distant, for no man 
loved his honorable name more dearly than Billy 
Burt, and to fail to meet his paper would have 
been far worse to him than death itself, and yet 
he constantly took the most outrageous chances, 
calmly relying on his luck or his ability to ac- 
complish the wonderful thing necessary to keep 
afloat. 

A partner of Burt’s once said to a mutual 
friend that Billy was “the only man on earth who 
could do impossible things.” It was the ability 
to do extraordinary things under pressure that 
made him reckless. 

Of most abstemious habits, Burt had always 
committed his sins in cold blood. He deliberately 
shut his eyes to consequences. He was much 
more generous than just. It gave him more 
pleasure to loan fifty dollars to a friend who was 
in need of help than to pay fifty he owed himself, 
and yet he always paid the money he borrowed. 
Despite the fact that he was so deeply in debt his 


“Four Months After Date” 15 

credit was good. He was always understood to 
keep his engagements. Billy Burt’s name on 
paper at his bank indicated with clearness to the 
bank people that it would be met at maturity, and 
it always was. His bank helped him over many 
hard places, and friends — well, Billy had a regu- 
lar co-operative society of friends who also 
helped him over the hard places, and so even 
his creditors congratulated him with sin- 
cerity on his marriage, and hoped he would set- 
tle down to systematic business methods — a hope 
they were destined to see deferred for many a 
long day, for Billy being, as he said, “too deeply 
in debt to economize,” had so much to do to 
complete successfully the history of every week, 
that plans for the future were constantly put off 
for brighter times when things were to be easier. 

This tale is a glimpse at uniform excess of ex- 
pense over income with its accompanying uncer- 
tainty and ultimate climax. When Billy’s income 
was three thousand, his demands exceeded five 
thousand; when he made eight thousand, he 
spent ten thousand and was always hard pressed. 
Such personal disbursements as he made were 
comparatively small, tobacco being his principal 
vice, and Alice was economy itself, consequently 
they presented an appearance of living entirely 
within their means. It was the rolling ball of 
interest money, the lack of system, the cheerful 
assumption of debts not created by himself that 
kept Billy Burt poor. 


1 6 “Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER II. 

“You’re the nicest girl in New York,” de- 
clared Billy to Alice, surveying her critically. 

“You’re the nicest fellow anywhere, Billy,” 
Alice answered, with a tender look in her eye. 
“No one is as good as you are.” 

“Alice, I have already endowed you with my 
worldly goods and cannot properly compensate 
for such sweeping approval, but I feel bound to 
say that when you and I got married we hit the 
nail on the head.” 

They were seated on the top deck of the Sandy 
Hook boat, this Saturday afternoon in August, 
returning from a “run down the bay,” and the 
last gleams of the setting sun were putting a 
golden glint on everything movable or immov- 
able in and around the finest harbor in the world. 

“Yes,” said Alice, “there is nobody as happy 
as we are, and we’re always going to be just so 
happy — unless you get tired of me.” 

“That last is a trifle frivolous, sweetheart, and 
I can only assure you for the thousandth time 
that as long as you love me as you do now and 
let me see it as you do now, I shall always be the 
same.” 


“Four Months After Date” 17 

“It’ll be a year next Thursday since we were 
married, Billy.” 

“And I’ve never called you ‘dear,’ ‘darling,’ or 
‘ducky’ before anybodv yet, have I?” 

“No, Billy.” 

“And have always called you pet names in a 
whisper even when we were alone, haven’t I ?” 

“Yes, Billy.” 

“And we’ve always been happy every day and 
said our prayers?” 

“Yes, Billy.” 

“And no ghosts from my horrible past have 
walked in sight.” 

“I don’t believe you ever had a horrible past 
at all.” 

“Well, I’m glad you don’t believe in it, I 
wouldn’t if I were you; but the future will be all 
right so long as you are good-natured and think 
I made the world.” 

“Say, Billy, it would be nice to see the wed- 
ding party all together again, wouldn’t it?” 

“You mean the parlor car outfit that travelled 
up the country for the one-night stand, and 
shocked your father’s congregation by dancing 
till daylight at the hotel?” 

Alice nodded. 

“Look here, let’s have the whole push to din- 
ner on our anniversary and blow them off.” 

“Think of the expense.” 

“Bother the expense !” 

“Dinner means theatre.” 


1 8 “Four Months After Date” 


“It does that, my knowing friend.” 

“Cost seventy-five dollars?” 

“Just about.” 

“Too much for a little fun.” 

“Oh, I don’t know.” 

“William Burt, don’t you be an idiot; we can’t 
afford it.” 

“Honest, Alice, as for that, from a financial 
point of view we can’t afford to be alive.” 

“Well, but let’s do something that will be just 
as nice and won’t cost so much.” 

“Such as?” 

“Taking our wedding trip.” 

“True, we haven’t had our wedding trip yet; 
but that’ll take time and I can’t get away for long 
enough.” 

“Let’s go to Boston over Sunday.” 

“Cost more than feeding the aforesaid pil- 
grims.” 

“Honest?” 

“Verily, Miss Big-Eyes, it will cost just as 
much; but I’d like to do it a lot.” 

“Well, can’t we do something that won’t cost?” 

“Nothing that’s nice.” 

“Does everything that everybody does cost a 
lot?” 

“Everything; but the things that I contrive al- 
ways manage to cost more than the things other 
poor folks contrive.” 

' “Are we poor folks?” 

“Bless you, my child, for those words! Is it 


“Four Months After Date” 19 

possible that we have been married a year and 
I have so surrounded you with luxury that you 
have thought we were rich?” 

“Yes, Billy, very rich.” 

“You have thought my story about debts a 
bluff?” 

“Yes, Billy.” 

“You have been taking me for a disguised 
millionaire?” 

“Yes, Billy dear, you buy everything you want 
and urge me to buy everything I want. You try 
to get me to wear very expensive clothes and you 
buy awfully swell clothes yourself. You belong to 
a club or two, and if you see anything that you 
want me to have or to have yourself, and you 
haven’t the money in your pocket, you either buy 
it and have it charged or stop in the next day 
and get it, and nobody ever comes in to collect 
any bills, and you always gives little fees to every- 
body, and you smoke real nice cigars which I 
know must cost a good deal ; and very poor peo- 
ple can’t do all those things, can they?” 

These conclusive statements staggered Burt a 
little. 

“Do I do all that?” he asked. 

“Yes, Billy.” 

“Do you want me to do differently?” 

“Oh no, Billy, not for worlds.” 

“Supposing it’s all true, that I’m poor as 
poor and snowed under with mountains of 
debt?” 


20 “Four Months After Date” 

“Why, keep right on, don't stop for any- 
thing !" 

“Now, Alice!" 

“Just look at that dear thing of a yacht!" 

“It is a peach, isn’t it? Let’s buy it. I will if 
you want it." 

“I knew you would. It’s coming awfully 
close." 

“Why, hullo! That’s Burney Ashword wav- 
ing to us." 

“So it is." 

“Swagger looking party, that." 

“Yes; that’s a pretty girl with her hand on Mr. 
Ashword’s arm." 

“Oh! — um — yes, she is that." 

“Do you know her?" 

“I’ve seen her." 

“They’re going over to the clubhouse at Bay 
Ridge. Let’s go down there to dinner." 

“To-night?" 

“Yes ; why not?" 

“Just as you say." 

“Don’t you want to?" 

“Yes; only it’s a pretty hard trip down there, 
and we won’t arrive before eight o’clock." 

“That’s so; it don’t matter, I only wanted to 
see that pretty girl you’d never mentioned." 

“You think perhaps she might be the girl I 
left behind me?" 

“Well, yes, I suppose so." 

“Suppose she did the leaving, what then?" 


“Four Months After Date” 


21 


“Oh, I don’t believe it; because you never 
loved anybody but me, you know.” 

“True for you, Alice dear, but I’d rather you 
wouldn’t meet the girl we saw with Ashword.” 

“Gracious! You don’t mean she is one of 
the — the — people associated with your horrible 
past, as you call it?” 

“Oh, no, not at all. She’s lovely, but she says 
spiteful things to girls and flirts outrageously 
with men. The very attitude she assumes in 
conversation is as if she expected wisdom to 
issue forth with every opening of your lips. She 
has the most caressing expression of rapt atten- 
tion to draw, on occasion. She keeps it up her 
sleeve ” 

“Oh, Billy, you didn’t ” 

“Figuratively, Bonesy.” 

“Well, I should hope so.” 

“And so ” 

“Well ” 

“She’s the kind of girl you flirt with and don’t 
marry, you know, and she has no use for poor 
men, and the man who gets her will be a poor 
man in more senses than one.” 

“Oh, well, I give her up,” said Alice with 
mock humility, “for I’m sure there’s something 
dreadful back of all these particulars. We are 
getting near home.” 

“Yes; it’s been a pretty sail, though, and your 
prattle has been very pleasing. There goes sun- 
down ; see that puff?” 


22 


“Four Months After Date” 


“Bang!” 

Simultaneously with the discharge of the 
trophy on Castle William, Old Glory came flut- 
tering down for the night and the movement 
aboard the steamer toward the gangway began 
to make itself noticed in the scraping of feet and 
chairs. 

“What did you decide about the anniversary?” 
asked Billy. 

“Boston, Bunker Hill and baked beans,” Alice 
promptly responded. 

“Next Saturday?” 

“Friday night, Fall River boat.” 

“Suppose I can’t get away for Saturday?” 

“Now, Billy, play I was some other girl.” 

“I will go, make or break, sweetheart; but 
you’re a mean old thing to say that.” 

“Honest, Billy, I didn’t mean to be mean, and 
will take it back, for I know better.” 

“Well, we’ll go over on the Fall River boat, 
and you’ll let me buy everything I want to, and 
help spread paint all the way there and back?” 

“I will, Billy.” 

“And we’ll play we’re just married, for this is 
a slice of our wedding trip, you know, and you’ll 
forget how many lumps I take in my coffee and 
we’ll stay around there somewhere till Monday 
night and buy everything in sight.” 

“Yes, Billy, everything.” 

“You’re a brick, Alice, or rather a bricklet, 
and when we get ashore from this we’ll go up to 


“Four Months After Date” 23 

French Ike’s and get a nice table d’hote dinner 
and then go out in the Park and spoon.” 

“Yes, Billy,” said Alice. 

A certain amount of careful engineering, dur- 
ing the succeeding week, enabled Burt to ar- 
range his matters so that they would keep over 
from Friday until Tuesday, as he said, “without 
spoiling,” and the following Friday night found 
this worthy pair en route for the New England 
metropolis. 

“Bonesy, I’ve put up a mean job on you,” said 
Billy as they sat down to dinner in the saloon of 
the Fall River boat. 

“What, again? Is everybody watching us?” 

“The roses did it. Don’t you see we have 
this table to ourselves while all the rest are 
crowded?” 

“Well, I’m sure I don’t mind,” said Alice de- 
liberately. “If it had been a year ago I should 
have been blushing up to my hair, but now I’m 
an old married woman and feel real proud that 
people still can think us just married.” 

“Well, you know, the stateroom I bought was 
the bridal chamber, and the big box of roses I 
sent down gave the whole snap away.” 

“Look at them all eyeing us. You’re the one 
that’s blushing now, Billy.” 

“Fact is, Bonesy, I do feel a little silly. No 
one ever took us for just married before, I’m 


24 


“Four Months After Date” 


“Don’t fumble around with that soup ladle, 
but help me to some, there’s a nice boy. I’m 
starved and everybody’s watching.” 

“Alice Warren, you always looked as though 
you knew and wouldn’t tell — you precious inno- 
cent!” 

“Billy, please give me some soup and try to 
look unconscious ; the waiter is taking in every- 
thing we say.” 

“I feel like a Nihilist.” 

“You look like one,” said Alice gleefully. “I 
shall always remember this day, Billy, as the day 
you blushed.” 

“I am recovering gradually, but am still some- 
what stunned by the sensation of embarrass- 
ment. You see, I long ago passed the point 
where I could afford to be, or at any rate appear 
to be, embarrassed.” 

“I don’t understand you a bit.” 

“You would if you had my obligations to 
meet.” 

“They don’t seem to worry you very much.” 

“That’s what I mean when I say I can’t afford 
to be put out by anything. Equanimity is capi- 
tal. The man who gets stampeded is lost.” 

“Solemnly, Billy, I think you must be a £reat 
man.” 

“I am, Bonesy, and I’m going to write a book 
on insolvency as a profession.” 

The dinner proceeded after this without inci- 
dent, though Alice most of the time seemed lost 



-A nd spoon and spoon.” 


(See page' 28 . ) 



“Four Months After Date” 27 

in deep thought. When they finally reached 
the upper deck the moon was faithfully perform- 
ing her duty, providing that intoxicating tinge 
of dreamy half-light in which the soul’s senti- 
ment pervades thought and word. Billy and 
Alice found a protected nook and settled them- 
selves for the evening. 

There is something so intensely practical 
about the boats that run from the big metropolis 
down into Yankeeland through Long Island 
Sound that descriptions of romance in connec- 
tion therewith falls very flat. The very idea of 
“Stonington Line,” “Norwich Line,” “Fall 
River Line,” brims over with commercial sug- 
gestions. You elbow traffic on every hand, and 
involuntarily find yourself calculating the im- 
mense revenue from the mammoth floating white 
hotels that take you down around the Battery 
with colors flying, bands playing and handker- 
chiefs waving, float you calmly and speedily be- 
tween the sister cities, past those islands de- 
voted to the entertainment of the big city’s poor 
and the big city’s sick and the fencing in of its 
crime. You pass along rapidly to the open 
Sound. Night comes down, lighthouses appear, 
revolving lights, flash lights, twin lights; you 
watch the big pilot-house shrouded in darkness, 
and the ponderous wheel that steers the ship, and 
if alone you mope along the deck and wish for 
your best girl, and if she’s with you you find the 
unoccupied secluded nook, if you can, and spoon 


28 “Four Months After Date” 


and spoon. There is opportunity for romance 
all the evening, and you delude yourself into 
thinking you are contented and happy. At 
length drowsiness grows on you and about mid- 
night staterooms are sought, and sleep nicely 
begun, when, lo! a landing and a discharge of 
cargo drives away all possibility of rest. After 
about an hour of continuous rattle of the pro- 
cession of trucks, the steamer pulls out of New- 
port and brings you into Fall River at sunrise, 
to encounter the same din of unloading freight, 
until in sheer desperation you dress and take the 
train for Boston. 

Traffic, traffic, traffic, what horrors are perpe- 
trated in thy name in this end of the century! 
Going to Boston by boat is seductive for the first 
half of the way and slow torture for the re- 
mainder, and still multitudes have the boat habit 
and the steamers are crowded. Occasionally, 
however, your stateroom is so situated that you 
are out of reach of the annoyances of the latter 
part of the night; and if the night is not too 
stormy, and if there is no fog to keep the hoarse 
old whistle going every half minute, and if the 
sea around Point Judith is not so rough that you 
are seasick, you pass a comfortable night, arise 
at a Christian hour, reach Boston in time for 
breakfast — about nine-thirty — and are ready for 
the business of the day. 

Billy and Alice were fortunate; their state- 
room was well away from all noise and move- 


“Four Months After Date” 29 

ment of freight, and they reached the city 
founded by Winthrop, having breakfast at Park- 
er’s, a very well satisfied pair indeed. They had 
stayed up late talking their usual gibberish until 
the moon went down and the decks were de- 
serted. Supreme satisfaction with each other 
was apparent in every word and look and ges- 
ture. This pair were truly happy. They had 
been married a year, every hour of which had 
seemed to prove anew the wisdom of their union. 
Billy’s daily life was filled with perplexities in- 
separable from his deplorable balance sheet ; but 
he seldom took his cares into Alice’s presence — 
rarely, indeed, making mention of them at all. 
When he did it was in such a way that Alice 
never took him seriously. Indeed, Billy seldom 
took himself seriously, except in the midst of 
the struggle with the problem. Once the imme- 
diate demands were satisfied, Mr. Burt was 
happy until the next crisis. And Alice, happy 
and buoyant all the time, kept him in spirits 
equal, as he said, “for any emergency under the 
sun.” 

This one full year of brightness was worth 
many years of struggle. Not a shadow of any 
kind had arisen, not an unpleasant thought. 
Whole thousands of people live out their lives 
without a single one of them having such a year 
of happiness without alloy, and Burt was philo- 
sophical enough to realize this. 

On the following Monday night, after their re- 


30 “Four Months After Date” 

turn to their pleasant apartments, Billy confided 
to Alice his opinion that she was a bully fellow, 
and that in his judgment their anniversary trip 
had been a thorough-going success. He told 
her, among other things, for the four hundredth 
time since their marriage, that the hollowness 
of life anywhere but in her presence was now a 
firm axiom of his creed, and then he looked deep 
into the depths of the big gray eyes, which re- 
flected back the unspeakably delicious evidence 
of requited love. The language of poetry was 
difficult for Billy to manage. To clothe his 
thoughts in any phrase but that of Bohemia 
would have made them the thoughts of some one 
else. It really seemed that Billy thought in 
slang just as Frenchmen think in “parle vous.” 


“Four Months After Date” 


3 1 


CHAPTER III. 

Among the men to whom Burt was indebted 
was one whose claim was very large. 

It represented the purchase price of a sub- 
stantial interest in a stock company, and the 
stock so purchased had been deposited with this 
gentleman as security for the money which was 
to be paid in certain (or rather, as it proved, un- 
certain) installments, presumably to be earned 
by the stock itself. 

The original deal by which this particular debt 
of Burt’s was created was made seven years be- 
fore, and the amount had originally been fifty 
thousand dollars. Very substantial payments had 
been made, but none in strict acordance with the 
letter of the contract. However, substantial pay- 
ments had been made and the original amount 
had presumably been considerably reduced. 
Whatever proper arithmetical calculation might 
demonstrate as the condition of the debt, the 
mention of the name of this particular creditor 
always called forth from Burt unstinted praise, 
for this man never pressed. His dues were large 
and the collateral subject to depreciation by mis- 
management; but Mr. Hamilton never urged 
payment unduly. The nearest he ever came to 


32 “Four Months After Date” 


asking payment was two or three calls during 
the seven years, to inquire, as he said, if Billy 
could give him any idea how much he was going 
to pay him during the following quarter. He 
merely wanted to know to assist his own plans, 
and would be glad of as much as Billy could 
manage. Now this, of course, was in a great 
measure, bluff, but it was courteous and friendly 
and had nothing behind it, and Billy always re- 
ferred to this gentleman as “a model creditor. ,, 
In fact, Billy had several times borrowed addi- 
tional sums of Mr. Hamilton, and these sums 
always seemed forthcoming without the slightest 
embarrassment; but when paid, the interest 
charge was figured to a nicety. 

The less charitable of Billy’s intimates who 
knew the nature of the transaction with Mr. 
Hamilton were inclined to criticise the fact that 
interest on the debt was to be paid semi-annually 
at six per cent., and to claim that this was pretty 
hard terms ; but Billy never gave the semi-annual 
compounding serious thought. He had always 
a view that Mr. Hamilton’s risk was well worth 
the compound interest, and never dreamed of 
suggesting different arrangements. Indeed, the 
question of interest any way, to Burt, was a mat- 
ter of indifference. He had paid interest always 
and always expected to, he said ; in fact, every 
business man in America paid interest, and why 
not he? 

The real facts of the case were, that, not- 


“Four Months After Date” 33 

withstanding the heavy payments made by Burt 
during the previous years, on this claim of Mr. 
Hamilton’s, the interest charges of something in 
excess of three thousand dollars per year had in- 
terfered so materially with the rapid progress of 
liquidation, that at this particular time, Burt’s 
debt to Hamilton was nearly as large as at the 
beginning. Perhaps Hamilton had an accurate 
account; Billy had not, and without Hamilton’s 
assistance could probably never make up an ac- 
curate account, for, however correct Burt was in 
ordinary business calculation, these personal 
matters were the very essence of uncertainty and 
looseness. 

Now it had come to pass that through the ef- 
forts of Burt, and others associated with him, the 
stock deposited with Hamilton as collateral for 
the loan had appreciated in value, and Burt had 
conceived the idea of mortgaging the equity 
therein, in order to provide funds for some new 
ventures that looked promising; so another ex- 
ceedingly good friend of Burt’s was interested in 
the project, and an additional loan was placed 
upon the stock, amounting to twenty thousand 
more. The interest, however, on this loan was 
on a more liberal basis, the genial gentleman 
who provided the funds not caring to place any 
additional burden on Burt, having made the loan 
as a matter of accommodation and with small ex- 
pectation of reward beyond simple interest, ex- 
cept in event of the big success of Burt’s plans. 


34 “Four Months After Date” 


By these items it will be seen that Burt’s title 
to the stock of his company was somewhat 
shadowy, and that the interest account was play- 
ing the winning hand, for among the several 
thousand dollars of floating obligations of Burt’s 
there were many items that in handling, involved 
expense beyond the legal rate, and then there 
with several permanent loans on which Burt paid 
interest with regularity, so that it would have re- 
quired a bonanza income to have kept pace with 
Burt’s interest account and living expenses. 

The American nation is a nation of interest 
payers. 

Fifteen thousand business failures every year, 
four-fifths of them due to interest charges. 
Ninety odd per cent, of business enterprises un- 
successful mainly owing to interest charges. It 
is not interest charges at rates of two to three 
per cent, that are referred to here, but legal rates, 
six per cent, in the State of New York, running 
up to ten per cent, in some Western States. 

It will, of course, always be, that big proper- 
ties will have money to loan and borrowing of 
them or of any one, on terms approximating the 
government bond rate, is legitimate and should 
not be a serious handicap to success; but our 
wonderful system of national banks, State banks, 
and trust companies are not supported by inter- 
est charged at commercial rates, but by legal 
usury. 

Nothing is more seductive than discount. You 


“Four Months After Date” 35 

have a fairly decent bank balance averaging say 
five thousand dollars, you are a decent fellow 
yourself, and your customers are decent people 
of fairly good ratings in the mercantile agency 
books. You take your customers’ notes to your 
bank, they discount them at a calculation that 
makes some excess of six per cent., and the pro- 
ceeds are credited to your account. You bor- 
row some direct from the bank on ordinary four 
months’ paper. You soon have a line of dis- 
count running up to about ten or perhaps fifteen 
thousand dollars, and still carry your balance of 
five to seven thousand. You have to carry this 
balance in order to be respectable and to make 
your account “profitable” to the bank. By this 
means it will be seen that the bank has only 
really loaned you the use of say eight thousand 
dollars, while you are paying interest at legal 
rates on fifteen thousand, which actually brings 
your interest rate up to ten or twelve per cent, 
on the money borrowed. 

Many concerns doing business on a much 
larger scale are drawn into the same discount 
habits and find their interest account a serious 
item in the year’s business. Of course, when the 
circulating medium is plentiful, much commer- 
cial paper is floated at less than legal rates ; but 
the great bulk of discount business is done at the 
statute limit. Discount is a habit. It grows on 
one like intemperance or any vice. It encour- 
ages expansion beyond the safe possibilities of 


36 “Four Months After Date” 


moderate capital, is the support of excessive 
competition and a substantial element in many 
failures. 

The great good which discount facilities ac- 
complish is lost in the final record of ruin. It 
not only stimulates unhealthy competitive influ- 
ences in business circles, but it encourages high 
living and extravagant habits. Profits are di- 
vided with less regard to future demands than 
if discounts were harder to obtain, and discount 
becomes, instead of an open resource for tem- 
porary accommodation, a constant menace to 
conservative business. 

Some ingenious mathematician has stated that 
the sum originally paid to the aborigines for 
Manhattan Island, compounded semi-annually 
at six per cent., would result in figures exceed- 
ing the assessed valuation of the real estate 
within the limits of the old city of New York. 

Six per cent, is a tragedy. It is the pound of 
flesh from the vital part. Its history is a record 
of shattered ambition, of ruined moral charac- 
ter, of wrecked homes, of suicide, insanity and 
premature death. 

The honorable man who has had to battle 
with this monster finds in the words “six per 
cent.” a legend appropriate as an epitaph on the 
tombstone of a great majority of our business 
men, our farmers, our literary men, our whole 
nation. It brings down men of ambition from 
high places, it prostitutes energy from legitimate 


“Four Months After Date” 37 

channels, and makes financial gymnastics take 
the place of honest effort. 

In the limitless natural resources of our great 
nation is found a sort of heroic compensation for 
the evil results of six per cent. The bowels of 
the earth are laid under tribute to build up by 
its treasure intrinsic values wasted in riotous 
living and strife to outdo. Uncultivated fields 
are made to yield fruitful harvests, the profit of 
which goes into the coffers of six per cent. 

Industry assists nature to shed its yearly cov- 
ering of food products, which feed the world, 
and lays the result of its efforts and the bounties 
of mother earth at the feet of the monster. Six 
per cent, is the juggernaut of America. Rolling 
over our glorious plains, garbed in the habit of 
the lamb, it some day discloses its wolfish fangs, 
and those who have not been warned in time are 
torn to pieces. 

Our homes are a mass of mortgages. Our 
heavy enterprises are run by money borrowed 
from abroad. The names of our business firms 
are sign-boards of insolvency, and the individual 
or the corporation that can realize sufficient 
from forced sales of their property to liquidate 
all claims against them are in a hopeless mi- 
nority. 

Billy Burt’s case is exceptional only in de- 
gree. There seemed to be premeditation about 
Burt’s accumulation of debt, when in reality it 
was lack of the moral courage necessary to shift 


38 “Four Months After Date” 


things to a new level of equity to all. Then, 
again, there was the period of suffering to be 
experienced by many who looked to Burt for 
income, and more than all, there was Burt’s 
complacent belief that he was destined to make 
a sufficiently heavy coup some day to “win out” 
as he called it and pay his debts. 

Some of Burt’s creditors had received from 
him in interest money more than fifty per cent, 
of their claims, and still his obligations, like the 
hirsute adornment of the man celebrated in song, 
grew, and grew, and grew. 

Do you shrink, gentle friend, from the pes- 
simism of the foregoing lines? Do you inveigh 
against statements of condition too obvious to be 
ignored? Then complain not of Billy Burt for 
carrying to absurdity the general practice of liv- 
ing beyond our means, and doing business on 
capital borrowed at usurious rates. 

Great numbers of our largest concerns are so 
completely under the thumb of their chief ac- 
countant that they only know of profit and loss 
by figures that may be true or false. 

Practical knowledge of bookkeeping is essen- 
tial to every business man, who also must have 
the patience, and find the time, to watch care- 
fully the records made by his bookkeepers. 
Many disasters have resulted almost entirely 
from poor bookkeeping, and the inability of the 
head of the concern to follow bookkeeping tech- 
nicalities and theories, for bookkeeping is a 


“Four Months After Date” 39 

science, a fine art. Correct bookkeeping is piti- 
less, but it is a safeguard. 

The lack of courage to look the situation 
earnestly in the face is another species of in- 
sanity with which Burt was afflicted, in com- 
mon with many another who is drifting with the 
tide, and, thanks to discount, permits things to 
run their course into water too deep to recover 
the footing. 

Foot up the total earnings of our banking in- 
stitutions in one year, and see in their dividends 
the clotted blood of business wreck, the price of 
soul and body and sense. 

It is the nearly universal custom among men 
forced to default in engagements to protect the 
banks who hold their paper. Sometimes this 
becomes impossible, but generally the bank is 
“preferred” or is “taken care of,” at the expense 
of the less fortunate creditor who perhaps re- 
ceives his small share of what is left. 

This is making friends of the “mammon of un- 
righteousness” against future needs, and is part 
of the science of discount. Of course, banks are 
sometimes caught and of course banks some- 
times fail themselves ; but such failure is gen- 
erally traceable to over-discounting, rather than 
to conservatism, and the bill is paid by the hon- 
est depositor who does business within legiti- 
mate limits. 

Official dishonesty in banks as a cause for 
collapse has no place here, as that is outside of 


4 o 


“Four Months After Date” 


all law and theory, and presumably will always 
occur so long as men are fallible, and safeguards 
incomplete. 

The periods of depression common to our 
country result from a systematic inflation of 
which discount forms a vital part. Banks of dis- 
count are set up under every green tree, and on 
every high hill, and men are invited to offer up 
their immortal souls on the altar of greed. The 
invitation is accepted with eagerness, and when 
the tariff laws, framed for political ends and not 
for permanent prosperity, do their legitimate 
work of stimulating production beyond domes- 
tic demands, the only resource of the manufac- 
turer is his bank, which at the first intimation 
of trouble ahead draws the line on such incau- 
tious gentlemen, and hard times are upon us. 

Divine Providence has averted many times 
the logical results of political jobbery in our 
tariff laws by giving our fields abundant har- 
vests, while the whole earth has been clamoring 
for food at any price, and the temporary influx 
of money, caused by conditions which no mor- 
tal could control, furnish argument for a con- 
tinuance of the policy of inflation as a national 
principle, while the profits realized by our farm- 
ers have gone to bring up arrearages of interest 
money, and swell the earnings of the Shylock 
who never sleeps. 

Contemplation of the ruin wrought by resort 
to banks and others for aid at legal rates may 


“Four Months After Date” 41 


well give pause to mercantile ambition beyond 
the safe limits of capital actually possessed, for 
interest is a gnawing worm, that makes victim of 
our fairest hopes. It is the deadly toll paid by 
the improvident — the tribute exacted from fail- 
ure by success. 


42 “Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER IV. 

The ordinary, every-day proverbs that garnish 
the conversation and speech of mortals have 
been so continuously proven untrue that in the 
minds of many thinking people they are cata- 
logued among epigrams delivered for effect 
without regard for honesty. 

Many old adages are pitiless in their plain- 
ness. Some apply only as the point of view di- 
rects, and few are now worthy of place in serious 
thought; yet the use of old phrases is a habit 
to which all of us are slaves. They become tra- 
ditions that hamper free thought. They interfere 
with many an “enterprise of pith and moment, ” 
and are a really potent influence in daily life. 

No truer declaration, for instance, was ever 
made than the familiar one that “honesty is the 
best policy,” yet it contains within itself the 
germs of deceit, because honesty for policy’s 
sake is not honesty, but craft. Honesty for hon- 
esty’s sake is the only true honesty, and what 
constitutes honesty is frequently open to debate. 
Thus do the traditions of our childhood break to 
pieces under the hammer of investigation. 

The greatest epigrammatist of ancient times 
was undoubtedly Solomon, the son of David. 


“Four Months After Date” 43 

His proverbs teem with references to the bless- 
ings of children, the unending delight of their 
possession, the evidence they bring of Divine 
favor, the comfort they are to declining years, 
and so on. Solomon took his own medicine and 
we suppose had children by the basketful ; but 
Solomon didn’t have to wash and dress his chil- 
dren and put them to bed; he didn’t have to 
watch them every minute to see that they didn’t 
fall downstairs; and, above all, he didn’t have 
to stay up with them nights, when they were 
fretful, and be always calm, pleasant and firm. 
The proverbs applicable in Solomon’s time to 
the children of Israel are somewhat obsolete in 
these effete days, when the rising generation be- 
comes blase at sixteen, and the idea of raising a 
family a complicated problem indeed. 

Offspring to-day indicates accident or ego- 
tism. 

Surely no selfishness equals that of the man 
who, with premeditation, precipitates upon an 
unknown destiny a human being whose future he 
cannot control. If we have property, the per- 
petuation of our names in the earth becomes, ac- 
cording to accepted ideas, a grave necessity. We 
cannot reconcile our egoistic minds to a com- 
plete renunciation of the so-called good things 
of this life. Bringing children into the world, 
rearing monuments to ourselves because we have 
accumulated fortune, implies, if we would stop 
to think, that our achievements have, after all, 


44 “Four Months After Date” 

been meagre, else the pages of history would 
sufficiently blaze forth our excellences to all 
future generations. We wish to reach out from 
the grave, and by our children, who are our- 
selves, still take part in the stirring events of this 
hustling world. 

But there are those who love children for their 
own sake, husbands who love them for their 
wives’ sake, wives who love them for their 
husbands’ sake. To such, the possession of 
children is a joy unspeakable, their loss a bitter 
trial. If the element of selfishness could be 
found around such a hearthstone it would be the 
sanctified impersonal selfishness which binds 
families together in bands of steel, helping them 
present a united front against the trials of life 
and making of each day a history of forbearance 
and devotion. 

Accident or thoughtlessness is responsible for 
most of our children, and their coming is, as a 
general thing, unwelcome. 

They take possession of our homes some 
months prior to birth, the pleasant routine is in- 
terrupted, dormant qualities of disposition in the 
expectant mother, hitherto unsuspected, are 
brought out with startling clearness by the un- 
speakable strain of an untried condition. Anx- 
iety, deep and constant, takes possession of the 
husband, hopeless rebellion against it all on the 
part of the wife, which constantly intensifies up 
to its climax in the tragedy of childbirth. Not 


“Four Months After Date” 45 

that the mother dies — no, it is the girl that dies, 
and in her place there exists a being who can 
never travel back along the paths of her girl- 
hood, whose bitter experience has burned into 
her soul such potent sense of isolation and lone- 
someness that the whole aspect of the world has 
changed. 

Surrounded, perhaps, by anxious relatives, 
supported by a devoted husband, attended by 
skillful physicians and nurses, she yet passes 
through her wonderful experience, the central 
figure in a miracle old as Eve, with indescriba- 
ble sensations of physical agony, mental misery 
and despair. 

Will motherhood compensate this girl for all 
she has lost? Will the instinctive love of a 
mother for her babe, the realization of the help- 
lessness of the small creature, the little eyes that 
look into hers and later on the soft twining arms 
and childish prattle — will these so mould the 
mind of this mother that she shall cease regret? 

The person who reasons thus is looked upon 
with suspicion by his neighbors. It is thought 
that his mind is not normal, that his reasoning 
has been warped by some bitter experience, so 
much are we still under the influence of tradi- 
tion which says that children are a blessing. 

It is probable that in half of our families chil- 
dren are a blessing; though surely this division 
is liberal. They are a blessing because maternal 
and paternal yearning are strong in the parents, 


46 “Four Months After Date” 


and they are a blessing when husband and wife 
are fitted to be father and mother, when disposi- 
tion, inclination and condition in life warrant 
such a possession. This is leaving aside the 
thoughtlessness or deliberateness of the assump- 
tion of the responsibility for an immortal soul, 
and begging the question of motive. 

At all events, children are a luxury, few can 
afford them. 

The people who cannot give their children un- 
divided attention should not possess them. 

Along with Billy Burt’s other grievous errors, 
he committed the sin of offspring! 

Six months after their anniversary trip to 
Boston found Billy and Alice inhabiting a sub- 
urban cottage about an hour’s ride from New 
York. Said cottage having been leased for two 
years, and newly furnished from top to bottom, 
a competent maid servant installed, a man ar- 
ranged with to take care of a somewhat preten- 
tious lawn, an invitation extended to Alice’s 
mother to be present at the approaching cere- 
monies, a trained nurse engaged, an embargo 
laid on visitors, and a general air of expectancy 
and unrest pervading all things. 

Billy joined the ranks of the ubiquitous com- 
muter and lugged packages out from the city 
with great regularity and resignation, and had 
he had any energy to spare from his business per- 
plexities to expend on regrets, there was, in the 
added complications, introduced by the new anx- 


“Four Months After Date” 47 

ieties, ample provocation to curse his own stu- 
pidity for the new turn in affairs. 

“What a shame this all is, Alice!” he said to 
her one evening on his return from the city. 
“Do you think things will ever be quite the same 
again?” 

“Oh, no, Billy; they won’t, of course.” 

“Does all this make you unhappy, dear?” 

“I hardly know, Billy ; there is so much that I 
cannot understand. I have thoughts sometimes 
that scare me, and I feel so miserable and afraid 
some days when you are away.” 

“Afraid of what, darling?” 

“Of some indefinite thing. I cannot explain, 
but I suppose it must be natural to have peculiar 
sensations under the circumstances.” 

“Mother Warren will be here next week.” 

“Yes; it will be a great relief to know that 
some one is here with me all day, when I have 
that awful feeling of lonesomeness.” 

And Alice burst into a flood of tears. 


48 “Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER V. 

Just exactly what was meant by the man who 
first declared that “the rolling stone gathers no 
moss/’ it is difficult to understand. No doubt it 
was intended as a figurative expression of some 
kind, and being so, the definition of the word 
moss becomes a factor in analysis. Moss in the 
sense of money, or moss in the sense of debt, 
makes a lot of difference. 

Billy Burt was no rolling stone, he was a 
“stayer.” He never made but one change of base 
in all his business life, never took any vacation, 
was a hard worker and when he had been mar- 
ried seven years he found himself the father of 
two children, and the support of a household of 
nine people, besides two servants and a trained 
nurse. 

His indebtedness had, moreover, during the 
same seven years, nearly doubled, thanks mainly 
to interest, discounts and “shaves.” Then, too, 
his suburban experiment had been costly and 
was abandoned some months prior to the ex- 
piration of his lease. The leasing of a big house 
in New York followed, also the furnishing and 
carpeting thereof. The fact that rent was paid 
in both places was a mere detail that seemed of 


“Four Months After Date” 49 

small importance compared with the discomforts 
of suburban life and the toilsome journey to 
and fro. 

The swelling of the Burt household to its pres- 
ent numbers was accomplished as follows : Off- 
spring, two persons; parents of Mrs. Burt, two 
persons ; relations of Mr. Burt, three persons. 

The presence of the offspring needs no ex- 
planation; of the others, only the usual weak- 
minded reason, that there seemed no other way 
to do. 

The absurdity of this domestic aggrega- 
tion was, of course, fully apparent, but it was 
strictly in line with Burt's usual complaisance, 
and heeding no warnings, he took them all in for 
reasons that seemed good and sufficient, hired a 
house big enough to hold them all, with a couple 
of rooms for guests, and let things drift. Of 
course, houses of this size — modern houses in 
good streets — cost money, but that also was 
something over which Burt had no control, and 
having secured the proper article, he had made a 
good bargain on a long lease, and fitted it up 
with furniture and things. 

The two Burt children enjoyed the distinction 
of being the most remarkable children in the 
world. In such a household this was inevitable, 
and with seven different people to exercise au- 
thority over them, they fully justified this de- 
scription. 

It is not essential to our purpose to enter into 


50 “Four Months After Date” 

any detailed description of the remarkableness 
of the two Burt kids, their pranks, their wisdom 
or their accidents. Billy always declared that 
they were “stuffed with shingle nails,” for, sleep- 
ing or waking, those youngsters were in constant 
movement for the first three years of their lives, 
and this is wearing on care-takers. 

Billy paid a trained nurse a thousand dollars 
a year to take care of the younger child day and 
night, and in addition to his business duties as- 
sumed full charge of the older one, for twelve 
hours out of every twenty-four, in the hope that 
Alice might escape the results of such wear and 
tear as would have been inevitable under the con- 
ditions, and the twelve-hour turn that Billy did 
himself every night was no sinecure. Most of 
his sleep he secured standing up, and for the first 
year that he undertook this responsibility, fifteen 
consecutive minutes was about the longest 
stretch of sleep without interruption, he had. 

From their earliest moments the Burt children 
received the most thoroughly finished article in 
the way of attention possible, outside of royalty. 
The elder child was a boy, named Harold, and 
the younger a girl, christened Alice after her 
mother, Burt having peremptorily declined to 
have the boy named after himself on the ground 
that he didn’t “propose to have the kid handi- 
capped by a name which might go through the 
insolvency court at any time,” much to the dis- 
gust of Alice and the others, who never took 


“Four Months After Date” 51 

Billy’s references to his financial straits seriously, 
since there was such constant evidence of heavy 
disbursement. The slightest movement on the 
part of either of these children was the signal for 
general attention, and as the same children were 
continually “on the go,” it follows that there was 
a continual stampede. 

And correction ! Correction was a tragedy, 
the gloom of which was so dense and impenetra- 
ble that discipline bid fair to resolve itself perma- 
nently into a series of aimless and fruitless 
“don’ts.” No method of correction was ever 
found which did not produce an astonishing 
amount of gratuitous suggestion as to other 
means than the one employed, and the argument 
was frequently carried on in the immediate pres- 
ence of the children themselves ! 

And Alice, what of her? Sweet, gentle, tender 
Alice. Rising every morning to a round of 
duties, which she would allow no one else to per- 
form, she retired every night in a state of com- 
plete physical and mental exhaustion. Only two 
or three days in the six years since the first child 
was born had she been out of the sound of that 
child’s voice. Her nervous disposition had never 
a chance to recuperate after the birth of either 
child, and the most complete arrangements for 
effectual care outside of her personal attention 
never warranted her in permitting any one to do 
that which she conceived to be her duty. The 
sweet girl Billy had married, who had been so 


52 “Four Months After Date” 


happy in the bohemian life of their first year, de- 
veloped first into a wonderful and painstaking 
housekeeper, next into the dearest mother possi- 
ble to this earth ; but the revolution accomplished 
by motherhood was so complete that when 
Harold was six months old, few of her earlier 
characteristics remained. An abnormal sense of 
responsibility toward her boy seemed to take 
possession of her, which in a way was accentu- 
ated by the presence of her parents ; yet her 
mother’s help seemed indispensable because to 
entrust any portion of the care of that boy to any 
hired people was entirely out of the question. 

Billy fought this condition of things with a 
growing fear in his heart, but to no avail ; not 
that Alice loved him less than formerly, but the 
new duties, the multiplying opportunities for de- 
voting herself to house and child, the distracting 
influence of her parents’ criticism — both of 
whom, however, completely devoted themselves 
to the household — made an ensemble of zeal 
without sense that constantly produced an in- 
creasing tendency to nervousness in all parties. 
Even Billy was drawn into it by his desire to 
bear his share of the burdens, and as much of 
Alice’s as he could. Yet the astonishing absurdity 
of permitting one small child to so completely 
wreck comfort in his home, made him rebel 
against the systematic over-exertion which char- 
acterized everything; but Billy’s efforts to pro- 
vide outside help, and so accomplish relief to the 


“Four Months After Date” 53 

domestic pressure, were absolutely fruitless of 
anything but expense and complication. The 
disintegrating process went steadily on, the 
strain on every one increased, the wear and tear 
became manifest in an under-current of sup- 
pressed excitement so close to the surface, that 
several times it was at the breaking point. 

Right upon this came the move from the coun- 
try to the big city house, the addition of three 
relatives, two sisters and an aunt of Billy’s, to 
the household, and the advent of the second 
child. It will require small effort of the imagina- 
tion to understand that Brother Burt, under the 
combined strain of such a highly wrought home 
and the unending financial athletics essential to 
keeping his personal affairs from collapse, to- 
gether with the management of a rather exten- 
sive business, had a very busy brain, indeed ; but 
Burt had a wonderful capacity for endurance, 
and gave little sign in his general deportment of 
the fight he was having with fate. In fact, the 
only worry which he could not put away when it 
was not in front of him was the fear of conse- 
quences to Alice. He saw their old comraderie 
vanishing through lack of opportunity, and he 
tried to provide arrangements that would give 
them a little of each other’s society again, but 
found an insurmountable rock in Alice’s idea of 
duty. Besides Alice and Billy there were the 
five relatives and a trained nurse, all of whom 
were willing and anxious to undertake any line 


54 “Four Months After Date” 


of duties, temporarily or permanently, that 
would relieve Alice ; but some unfortunate thing 
about the methods of each of them seemed to 
make it impossible for Alice to accept any one’s 
help but her mother’s, and there were times when 
she rebelled against that. Alice, too, was con- 
scious of the drift away from Billy; but seeing 
no hope for a change until the far-off day when 
the children would be grown up, could not 
bring herself to new methods, though at times 
she and Billy talked quite frankly about it. 

“Alice, dear,” said Billy one night, “do you 
know where we are drifting, you and I?” 

“Yes, Billy ; I know.” 

“Can’t we stop it?” 

“We haven’t time to be happy, Billy, and 
won’t have until the children are grown ; every- 
body says the same thing, and has the same ex- 
perience.” 

“But everybody has not made the effort we 
have to avoid it,” urged Billy. 

“It makes little difference; the children are 
here and they are dear things, and we must at- 
tend to them before everything else.” 

“Well, but Alice, you do so much that is un- 
necessary; you sew and make all sorts of com- 
plicated clothes for the children, that might be 
bought, and I might get a little more of your 
time.” 

“I’m no companion for anyone now, Billy.” 

“Oh, Alice, come away with me for a week or 


“Four Months After Date” 55 

two ; we’ll go somewhere for a trip. I’ll just drop 
everything and go, and it’ll brace you up a little.” 

“What’ll we do with the children?” 

“Surely some of the folks will take care of 
Harold, and Miss Early takes care of little Alice 
now.” 

“I’ll go if you’ll take Harold, but I won’t leave 
him for some one else to care for. 

Suppose he gets a cold and has 
pneumonia?” 

“No fear of that, Alice.” 

“No use, Billy; I won’t go and 
leave Harold.” 

“Alice, darling, I need your 
help more than Harold does. I 
need something more from you 
than you are giving me. I need 
the inspiration you used to be to 
me, I am in deep perplexities and 
I need help. I need that sort of 
help which I can get nowhere 
else. Come, sweetheart” and Billy drew her to 
him, “don’t let us drift apart and be as other peo- 
ple who don’t seem to care. I can’t keep my 
head above water, and bear all these things 
alone; you must help me.” 

“I try to help, Billy.” 

“Yes, I know, dear, you constantly overwork. 
I can buy much of that sort of help for a com- 
paratively few dollars; but in the fight I have 



56 “Four Months After Date” 


to make for thousands I need the inspiration of 
your full accord, as I used to have it.” 

“Yes, Billy, I think I understand; I have seen 
the way the children are coming between us, and 
at times I hate them for it. But what can I do? 
I can’t neglect them.” 

“Alice, I have never made any long speeches 
about my love for those children, but I think I 
have succeeded in proving it by my action to- 
ward them. You and all hands are spoiling them. 
You are wrecking yourself and by so doing you 
are wronging me and destroying our future hap- 
piness.” 

“Is it, then, all my fault, Bill?” 

“Oh, don’t, Alice, dear!” 

“There’s Harold now, our talking has wak- 
ened him.” 


“Four Months After Date” 


57 


CHAPTER VI. 

One morning Burt was seated in his private 
office — for this astute gentleman, as an officer of 
his corporation and manager of the business, 
had, of course, a private office — when one of his 
closest friends, Duncan Drew, came hurriedly 
in, and without a word of greeting appropriated 
a chair conveniently placed for callers. 

The two men stared at each other in silence 
for a few moments, then Billy, lowering his feet 
from their comfortable elevation, offered a box 
of cigars for his friend’s selection. 

“How are you fixed, Billy?” Drew finally in- 
quired. 

“Money?” 

“Yes.” 

“Just beautifully, Dune,” said Billy, with a 
queer intonation and a queerer smile. 

“Seriously, Billy, can you put your hand on 
any money?” 

“My dear boy, I have been putting my hand 
on money for fifteen years, and I was just won- 
dering when you came in where I could find 
some more.” 

Drew pondered. 

“Burt, some money must be raised, and my 


58 “Four Months After Date” 

capacity for negotiating loans is so emphatically 
limited that I come to you for co-operation.” 

“I have to find eighteen hundred dollars my- 
self between now and to-morrow, Dune; but 
what’s your sum?” 

“I don’t mean this as a loan, Billy; I have a 
deal to propose.” 

“An unimportant detail. What’s the amount 
and how long?” 

“It’ll take ten thousand for a few weeks or 
months. I have three thousand, and I want you 
to raise seven more.” 

“Well, I’ll be — well, upon my word ! Don’t 
move a muscle, Dune, just let me take off my 
coat; you keep perfectly still while I’m getting 
my breath back. Duncan Drew,” said Billy af- 
ter a moment, “all the easy things of life have 
fallen to other men to do. I have always man- 
aged to tide my own matters over, but this ad- 
ditional chunk is a trifle more than I can chew.” 

“May I speak now, Billy, and tell my story?” 

“Yes, fire away, Dune; it may relieve your 
mind, but you’re wasting time.” 

“Not if I know you, my boy. In the first 
place, do you regard my business judgment as 
sound?” 

“Yes, Dune, I do; and your bad error in 
thinking I could draw cards in any such hand as 
this is the worst break I ever knew you to make.” 

“Well, you know old Sampson, the president 
of our company?” 


“Four Months After Date” 59 

“I do ; and a choice old party he is, that same 
Sampson.” 

“Well, Sampson is in personal difficulties, and 
being such a confounded bear has never made 
any friends who would be of use to him in time 
of trouble. He has been in some outside enter- 
prises that have gone wrong, and last night he 
asked me to come up to his house and told me 
all about it. I have been in that concern since 
I was a boy, and he never asked me up before, 
and when he told me he wished I would come up 
last night, you might have knocked me down 
with a straw. Well, as I said, he is in serious 
difficulties, and offered to sell me a block of his 
stock sufficient to give me control of the busi- 
ness if I would find him ten thousand in cash 
by to-morrow. You know I hold a good deal of 
it now, and it is earning fifteen per cent, right 
along at par. Old Sampson actually broke 
down and cried like a child, and I would have 
been positively sorry for him if I hadn’t seen 
him do such unfeeling things to the boys all 
these years. As it was, I made an effort to be 
calm, and very deliberately asked for his propo- 
sition and why he chose to apply to me to sell. 
He said he couldn’t make his turn quick enough, 
any way without going to somebody, and his af- 
fairs were in such shape that he would rather let 
me have twenty thousand in stock at fifty than 
own any weakness anywhere else.” 

“One minute; ha$ Sampson any family?” 


6o “Four Months After Date” 


“No; not a soul nearer than Bob Underhill, 
his nephew, a worthless scamp who expects to 
come in for old Sampson’s dough.” 

“Well, go on ; this begins to look enticing.” 

“You see, I have been a long time in favor of 
joining the combine in our trade, but old Samp- 
son and the others won’t come in. Now that 
it becomes possible to buy enough from Samp- 
son to control, I can make a deal that will give us 
a big lift.” 

“What can you get?” 

“I can get 200 for all my stock, including the 
200 shares of Sampson’s.” 

“Take long?” 

“It may take a month.” 

“Well, what’s the proposition?” 

“If you will raise the seven thousand I need I 
will give you all the profit on the 200 Sampson 
shares. My profit will be enough on my own 
holdings to satisfy me, but unless I can sell the 
whole block, I can’t make any deal at all.” 

“Dune, it seems like madness for me to at- 
tempt this thing ; but if I do attempt it and suc- 
ceed it can only be by your co-operation on a 
note, and that being the case, I would not think 
of driving any such bargain. I will do this : If 
you will sign a note at four months for eighty- 
eight hundred dollars, covering my own urgent 
needs and yours, I will make the biggest play to 
turn this thing that I have made in a long time, 
and will take just one-half the profits of the 200 


“Four Months After Date” 61 


shares if the deal is concluded. If it hangs fire, 
I am to have the vote on these 200 shares in 
your company and the dividends on half until 
the trade is cleaned up, and you must let me have 
that $3,000 you have on hand to make a play 
with at once. Is it a go?” 

“Done on the instant, Billy. Do you think you 
can make the riffle?” 

“Man proposes, Dune, you know the rest, but 
we must hustle. You must have this money by 
what time to-morrow?” 

“One o’clock, and I must know by two o’clock 
to-day.” 

“What time is it now?” 

“Eleven-thirty.” 

“Where’s that $3,000?” 

“Here in my clothes.” 

“What shape is it in?” 

“This shape,” and Drew pulled out an en- 
velope containing six five hundred dollar bills. 

“Long green, eh? So much time saved; 
now let’s see what I’ll tackle. Where do you 
bank?” 

“Importers & Traders.” 

“Couldn’t they have helped you out?” 

“The only officer that knows me personally 
has gone to Europe, and they won’t loan on our 
stock ; I’ve tried them.” 

“Now, let’s see,” said Burt thoughtfully. “I 
can’t go to Cromwell’s bank, I can’t go to Fow- 
ler’s, and I can’t go to Benson just now. I’ll 


62 “Four Months After Date” 


have to make a play at Peter's. Do you know 
Peter?" 

Without waiting for reply Burt touched a but- 
ton, and when the office boy came said, “Arthur, 
is Mr. Ellis at his desk?" 

“Yes, sir." 

“Ask him to come in." 

The boy disappeared, and a well-put-up man, 
about thirty, entered. 

“Sam, I want you to do something for me, 
and do it up as well as you can. In this envelope 
is $3,000 in currency. I want you to take it to 
the Fidelity National Bank, where I have my 
personal account, you know, and get me a cer- 
tificate of deposit for this $3,000; and Sam, I 
want you to be sure, without apparently making 
any noise over it, to see that Mr. Peter Emerson, 
the president, and Mr. Sutherland, the cashier, 
know about the transaction. You can manage 
this, I know." 

“I reckon so, Mr. Burt." 

“All right, Sam; pull yourself together, and 
do this right; it is very important. And, Sam, 
bring the certificate back here before going to 
lunch, will you?" 

“Do you think, Billy, it was wise to send him 
on such an errand?" 

“Trust me, Dune; Sam won’t run away." 

“Oh, I meant, won’t he overdo your instruc- 
tions?" 

“Not Sam Ellis. He has traits, that fellow. 


“Four Months After Date” 63 

He is a good deal of a beaut, worth more in hard 
coin than either of us.” 

“Well, upon my word! Why does he work 
here for a salary?” 

“He’s getting an education, my friend, study- 
ing my methods.” 

“Bosh! Billy, what’s the next move?” 

“A promissory note, Dune; here’s a whole 
bookful of blank life preservers on nice bond 
paper. Sit here and write, and let’s see, Dune, 
better make that note an even nine thousand, 
payable at your bank.” 

“Four months you said, eh?” 

“Four months.” 

“There you are, William, in my very best fist. 
Now, shall we sign any papers?” 

“Great Scott, Dune! This thing hasn’t a 
chance in a million of going through. I haven’t 
the remotest right to this discount, and if I 
hadn’t the most colossal gall this side of Jor- 
dan, I wouldn’t attempt it; but once I start in, 
I’ll play the hand for all it’s worth. The only 
show I have in the world is this : I introduced a 
man to Peter Emerson some two years ago, and 
got him to take his firm’s account there, and as 
the bank’s capital is only $200,000, and only 
paying about ten per cent, on that, it follows that 
it is a small bank, and I know of a certainty that 
they are at present over-discounted. Further- 
more, I know that my friend’s account there is 
large — do you see?” 


64 “Four Months After Date” 

“No, I don’t see.” 

“Well, I’ll tell you about it after it’s all over.” 

In a few minutes Ellis entered and handed 
Burt the certificate of deposit. 

“Well, Sam, how did it go?” 

“Capital! Mr. Sutherland, the cashier, was 
not at his desk, so I went to Mr. Emerson, and 
said you were in a hurry for this certificate. He 
took the money and started himself to find the 
certificate book over on the cashier’s desk. Just 
then Mr. Sutherland came in, and Mr. Emerson 
explained it to him, and here it is.” 

“All right, Sam, that’s very smoothly done.” 

“All luck this time, Mr. Burt. By the way, I 
heard Mr. Emerson say ‘forty thousand debtor’ 
to Mr. Sutherland.” 

“Good enough!” exclaimed Burt as Ellis 
withdrew. 

“This is all Greek to me, Billy.” 

“Why, don’t you see,” said Burt getting up 
and lighting a fresh cigar, “the bank is forty 
thousand debtor at the clearing house this morn- 
ing, and that means a good deal to them just 
now. By Jove! we’ll win as sure as fate,” and 
Billy walked up and down the office a turn or 
two, then sitting down to his telephone called 
for 9486 Cortlandt. 

“Hello !” 

“Is this Wells & Wormsley?” 

“Is Mr. Wells in?” 

“Hello, is that you, Tom?” 


“Four Months After Date” 65 

“Say, Tom, how much have you in Peter’s 
bank?” 

“Good! Well, how much, if I’m not too in- 
quisitive?” 

“Great Heavens ! you don’t say so ! What are 
you doing with all that money?” 

“Oh, never mind. Are you going to be in all 
the afternoon? Don’t be scared, I don’t want to 
borrow any. All right, I may see you later. 
Good-bye.” 

“Well, of all luck, Dune,” said Billy excitedly, 
“those fellows have sixty-four thousand in 
Peter’s bank. I’ll warrant six times as much as 
any other depositor in the bank. They’re going 
to build a new factory.” 

“Well, is it safe?” 

“Safe as the treasury, only I know Brother 
Peter, he gets stampeded. What time is it?” 

“Twelve-fifteen,” answered Dune. 

“Let’s see,” meditated Billy, “it will be two- 
thirty before I can tell you about this thing. 
Meanwhile let’s get some lunch. It’s a little 
early, but I can’t do anything on this for an hour 
yet, and it’s no use trying to attend to anything 
else until this hurdle is taken. My friend Peter 
goes to his lunch at twelve-fifty every day and 
returns at one-fifteen. I must go in just as he’s 
sitting down to his desk.” 

“I must confess, Billy, I don’t get on to your 
curves at all.” 

“That’s all right, Dune; the thing will work, 


66 “Four Months After Date” 


and good old Peter will have a bad quarter of 
an hour, but all will be well. Sorry to stir the 
gentleman up, but it’ll have to be done. Look 
here, Dune, do you mind making that note 
$12,000, instead of $9,000? Such an opportunity 
as this won’t occur again for some time.” 

“Anything you say, Billy,” and Drew pro- 
ceeded to destroy the note previously drawn and 
make a new one, which read as follows : 


$ 12)000 

NEW YORK , April 10, 189— 
Four months after date I promise to pay 

to the order of William S. Burt , 

Twelve Thousand and °%oo Dollars 

at the Importers' and Traders' Natio?ial 
Bank . 

Value received. 

DUNCAN DREW. 


An hour later Burt walked into the president’s 
office in the Fidelity Bank with a lighted cigar 
in his fingers and his hat on his head. 

“How do you do, Mr. Emerson?” said Billy, 
sitting down. 

“Hello, Brother Burt! Any more bouquets 
like you sent in a while ago?” 

“I have a shrub here of a slightly different va- 
riety if you’d like to look at it.” 


“Four Months After Date” 67 

“All right, let’s see it.” 

Billy drew the note out of his pocket, reached 
over, picked up a pen, wrote his name across 
the back, and handed the paper to Emerson. 
Emerson took one glance at it and gasped, then 
he looked up at Burt. 

“Well,” said Billy, puffing at his cigar, which 
had gone out. 

“Where’s the rest of it?” 

“What do you mean? Isn’t this big enough?” 

“Where’s your collateral?” 

“Did you ever know me to use good old col- 
lateral for such a transaction as this?” 

Emerson whistled. “I must say, Mr. Burt, 
there is something amazing about your expecta- 
tions; you never brought me anything like this 
before. Why, you know I can’t do this !” 

“Lend me the loan of a match, will you? Par- 
don me, but you must let me smoke while I 
think, whether you are right.” 

Emerson laughed. “You’re a cool one, Billy. 
We’ve helped you many times, and I really have 
a high opinion of your integrity, but twelve 
thousand dollars ! Why, if you had government 
bonds I couldn’t let you have it to-day, but plain 
paper — impossible.” 

“Mr. Emerson, this is to you an incident in 
the day’s business, to me it means more than I 
can properly make you understand. The signer 
of that note is good for it. I have never lied t.o 
you. In ten years I have never brought you a 


68 “Four Months After Date” 


poor note or a bad check. I must ask you to 
consider this matter carefully.” 

“Why, Burt, your balance here hasn’t aver- 
aged (here he consulted a book) four hundred 
dollars for the past six months.” 

“I know it; but what of that? You turn it 
down, then?” 

“Yes, Burt; for the first time I must tell you 
‘no.’ Aside from everything else, it would be out 
of the question to do it to-day, for my depositors 
have been drawing the liver out of me for the 
past ten days. I am below my reserve, and if I 
wanted to do this I couldn’t think of it. You’ll 
have to go somewhere else this time.” 

“At least, Mr. Emerson, you’ll give me credit 
for usually accomplishing what I determine is 
right?” 

“I will, Burt ; but this time you are unreason- 
able. My directors would have me in the luna- 
tic asylum in a strait-jacket inside of a week.” 

“It is only fair,” said Billy, rising deliberately, 
“to tell you that I expect within two or three 
months to more than double this $12,000, and 
am taking less than ordinary business risk with 
it. Before accepting your denial as final, I wish 
you to know how vital it is to me. Another feat- 
ure is that I will let that certificate of deposit 
stand untouched without interest until this note 
matures, which will practically net you eight per 
cent, on the transaction as a whole.” 

Emerson shook his head and Burt withdrew 


“Four Months After Date” 69 

without further words. A glance at his watch 
showed the time a quarter to two. 

Three minutes later Billy walked into the of- 
fice of his friend, Tom Wells, the hustling head 
of the firm of Wells & Wormsley. 

“Tom, I want to see you alone for ten min- 
utes, ” announced Burt. 

“All right, Billy, come in here.” 

“Tom,” said Billy, as they sat down, “I want 
you to withdraw your account from Peter’s 
bank.” 

“Good gracious! Billy, are you crazy?” 

“Not a bit; you are under no obligations to 
him, are you?” 

“None whatever; but I hate to do it.” 

“You won't have to, only make a play at it.” 

“What do you mean?” 

Billy explained at some length. 

“By George, Billy! I'll do it just to see the 
Honorable Peter get rattled ; it’s sort of mean to 
work him up, but it'll be fun and it’ll help you.” 

“Good for you, Tom ! Now send a check right 
over quick for all your balance, and ask for cer- 
tification. Draw it to the order of your firm, 
and I'll guarantee you will deposit it back in the 
bank inside of an hour.” 

Even while Billy was speaking, Wells passed 
out the door to the bookkeeper, and astonished 
that gentleman by telling him to draw the check 
and draw it quick. 

“Take it yourself, Tom. I'll warrant the pay- 


yo “Four Months After Date” 

ing teller will never certify that check without 
consulting Peter, and then you’ll be called in and 
say that you heard me saying they couldn’t loan 
me any money, and thought perhaps your heavy 
balance would be safer somewhere else. Be 
sure to say ‘safer,’ Tom. In fifteen minutes from 
now I’ll call up the cashier and tell him I have 
had to use that certificate of deposit, and in fif- 
teen more we’ll all be happy but Peter.” 

“All right, Billy, I’m in it.” 

They hurried away in opposite directions, and 
at twenty minutes after two Billy called up the 
Fidelity on the telephone and asked for the 
cashier, to whom he was just communicating his 
information about the use of the certificate of 
deposit, when Mr. Sutherland said, “Oh, Mr. 
Burt, Mr. Emerson has just told me to call you 
up and ask you to come over.” 

At twenty-five minutes to three Mr. Burt 
asked Mr. Drew over the telephone if a certified 
check for ten thousand would answer his turn. 

“Very nicely,” replied Drew; “worked, did it?” 

“Peter did it himself out of his own pocket,” 
replied Burt. “I’ll bring the check around my- 
self in the morning and tell you about it.” 

The conversation that had taken place be- 
tween Mr. Emerson and Mr. Burt, upon the lat- 
ter responding in person to Emerson’s sum- 
mons, was something like this : 

“What you trying to do to me, Billy?” asked 
Emerson. 


“Four Months After Date” 71 


“Playing my hand to win.” 

“Call them off, Burt, and I’ll fix you up. I’ll 
take your loan myself. Will ten o’clock in the 
morning do?” 

“That will suit me all right,” said Billy. 
“Circumstances favored your plans this time, 
Burt, and your trump was a big one.” 

“I was familiar with the circumstances, Mr. 
Emerson, also the size of the trump.” 

“Now, Billy, don’t work me up like this again. 
I’m getting old, and you young fellows shouldn’t 
try to have fun with me any more.” 

“Take lunch with me to-morrow, Uncle 
Peter?” 

“I will,” said Peter with a smile. 


72 “Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER VII. 

Unlike many well-laid plans of men, the 
scheme of Duncan Drew, instead of going 
wrong, came to the realizing point with great 
rapidity, and in less than four weeks from the 
morning Drew called on Billy Burt, the whole 
deal has been concluded and the proceeds of the 
transaction divided. 

Burt had secured his loan from Emerson on 
the nth of April, and on the 4th of May he de- 
posited a certified check for twenty-five thou- 
sand dollars in Emerson’s bank, and, drawing a 
check in favor of “Uncle Peter” for twelve thou- 
sand, called on him personally and asked for his 
note. 

Emerson looked up in surprise. 

“So soon, Billy? I wasn’t expecting this,” 
said the kind old gentleman, with a look of re- 
lief on his face. 

“I have never paid a note more than one day 
prior to maturity in my life, but I knew you 
were anxious, Mr. Emerson, and I knew, too, 
that I had come near forcing this loan, so I take 
the earliest opportunity to put your mind at rest, 
although I could use the money very comfort- 
ably for the balance of the period.” 


“Four Months After Date” 73 

“You’re a queer fellow, Billy,” said the old 
man. “I will have the pro rata discount for the 
time figured out, and return you the difference 
between three weeks and four months.” 

“No, Mr. Emerson, you are entitled to that. 
I have made fifteen thousand exactly, and I 
think you should have a commission. In fact, 
my conscience troubles me a little, for I know 
I have given you quite a wrench ; so pass me the 
note and we’ll say no more about it.” 

“There’s some truth in that view, and I accept 
it,” responded Emerson; “but I am curious to 
know what your deal was that turned out so 
profitably.” 

Billy explained it to him at some length, and 
as he rose to go Emerson said: “You’ll be on 
Easy Street now, I suppose, and keep a nice 
balance.” 

“Not I, Uncle Peter; I have too many irons 
in the fire, and most of this money will be gone 
this week.” 

“Where do you put it all, Burt? I see your 
account indicates the handling of a good deal of 
money for a personal account, yet you never 
manage to keep any.” 

“Too long a story, Mr. Emerson ; the case is 
hopeless, I’m afraid. I have assumed a lot of 
obligations and it keeps me poor taking care of 
them.” 

“Don’t you save anything?” 

“Save ! I’ll never save. The only way I’ll ever 


74 “Four Months After Date” 


manage to make any money to keep, will be by 
increasing the value of my business property and 
selling it out. When I can do that to the tune I 
have in my mind, I’m going to take my little sur- 
plus and buy a farm,” and Billy went out 
laughing. 

Burt had the certificate of deposit for three 
thousand dollars which he held, and which, by 
his settlement with Drew, belonged to him, cred- 
ited to his account, and then he went back to his 
office, and sat down to calculate how he could 
handle his stock of ready money to the best ad- 
vantage. He was an officer in three concerns, 
and each concern did business with a different 
bank. The concern of which he was manager car- 
ried the best account of all three, and was in the 
biggest bank. With the officers of this bank he 
was on friendly terms, but had never negotiated 
any personal paper with them; with the other 
two banks he was also acquainted, and had had 
some personal transactions, but had never car- 
ried any personal account anywhere except with 
the Fidelity, and none of his concerns banked 
there. Billy spent a lot of time that day thinking 
on his matters ; in fact, he did more thinking on 
general principles than he had done for years, 
and as the result of it he concluded to use about 
three thousand dollars to ease some matters that 
needed attention very badly, would not make any 
wholesale onslaught on his debts, but would use 
his ready money to widen his facilities, 



“Mr. Burt ? ” inquired the stunning person 


{See page iji.) 








“Four Months After Date” 77 

Having come to this conclusion he went to his 
tailor, astonishing him with a check for his ac- 
count, and after ordering two new suits of 
clothes, together with several extra pairs of 
trousers, he went uptown and bought several 
dresses for Alice. 

The next day he opened three new bank ac- 
counts, having drawn ten thousand in thousand- 
dollar bills from his Fidelity account. The three 
other banks where he was known were national 
banks, which shall be mentioned here as Crom- 
well’s, Fowler’s and Benson’s. With Cromwell 
he deposited five thousand, with Fowler three 
thousand, and with Benson two thousand. It 
is needless to say that in no case did he mention 
having a personal account anywhere else. When 
he had accomplished this, he went back to his of- 
fice and said to himself : “If I don’t take on any- 
thing more in the shape of investment, I am safe 
for two or three years, for I can manage out of 
these fellows to handle, with the pull the accounts 
give me, something over forty thousand in the 
way of discount by manipulating matters prop- 
erly.” It was the first time in years Burt had 
seen his way clear for more than a week in ad- 
vance, and he opened the window and breathed 
a long breath. 

While he stood by the window, which was on 
the tenth floor in one of the large office buildings 
on Broadway, he felt a hand on his shoulder and 
the voice of Duncan Drew inquired: “Well, 
Billy, what’s on your mind?” 


78 “Four Months After Date" 


“I was looking at the town and wishing I 
owned all I can see from this window.” 

“What would you do with it, Billy?” 

“The first thing I’d do, Dune, I’d mortgage 
it.” 

“I was certain of it,” said Dune. 

“Dune, if you are not busy this afternoon I 
wish you would sit down and talk with me 
awhile,” said Billy, turning around and offering 
him a chair. “How much time have you got?” 

“I’m a man of leisure now, Billy, and have 
time to burn. This selling one’s self out of 
business is a funny thing; you can’t imagine 
how queer it feels to have no business at all.” 

“Oh, well, Dune, the experience is so new to 
you that you haven’t any right to impressions 
yet; in fact, a man who has just cleared up as 
much clean money as you have, can well afford 
to feel funny.” 

“Does the little lift you got out of this deal 
relieve your pressure, Billy?” 

“Oh, yes, Dune, it does, very much ; in fact, I 
don’t know what I should have done without 
it ; but I have had that same thing to say a thou- 
sand times, I suppose, so that temporary day- 
light has seemed a sort of matter of course. But 
this lift is quite substantial, and I am deeply 
grateful to you for putting it in my way.” 

“No thanks to me, Billy; I needed your help 
and your nerve, and I tell you I had much rather 
you made a stake out of it than any one else. 


“Four Months After Date” 79 

Did you mean just now that the help it will give 
you is only temporary?” 

“Why, Dune, I owe, I suppose, two hundred 
thousand dollars.” 

“Good heavens ! You don’t mean it. How did 
you ever manage to create that amount of lia- 
bility?” 

‘‘It isn’t mere liability, Dune, it’s debt. To be 
sure something like half of it is purchase price of 
my interest in two or three things ; but the whole 
of it is interest-bearing, and I frequently have 
to make money turns at heavy shaves, though 
fortunately the shaves are all on small sums to 
piece out with. You see, Dune, I have made 
debt a sort of habit, and for twenty years, ever 
since I was fifteen, I have been piling it up. At 
the same time I have been making a good deal 
of money right along. I’ll guarantee that I have 
made more actual money, and disbursed it 
through my personal account for interest and 
running expenses, than any one of our old 
gang.” 

“Where are you going to land, Billy? You 
can’t keep this up forever.” 

“I’ve never stopped to think, Dune, until after 
I received the check from you yesterday morn- 
ing — by the way, here’s that note. I went to 
Emerson the first thing and put Uncle Peter out 
of his misery.” 

“That was a sharp turn you did that day. I 
have a profound admiration for your resources.” 


8o “Four Months After Date” 


“Why, I admire them some myself, and if I 
were making permanent headway, it would be a 
big pleasure to me to turn just such corners 
merely for the excitement of it. The high art in 
doing these things, however, is in playing the 
‘ace-high’ hand and winning out.” 

“Answer my question, Billy. Where are you 
going to land?” 

“I was just coming to that. Without going 
into details, my domestic matters are worry- 
ing me greatly. There are things too deep for 
words. I can’t attempt to tell you how hopeless 
the situation at my home is getting. I seem to 
have lost my grasp on events there, even if I 
ever had it. No, don’t ask me any questions 
about it — my wife is an angel. I think I am in 
a great measure to blame, because I’ve never had 
any settled arrangements about my finances, and 
yesterday and to-day I have been thinking long 
and deep. 

“I have always been possessed of a profound 
conviction that I wasn’t destined to die in debt, 
but have for several years been carrying such 
large indebtedness, that I knew any mere plan 
of frugality and an entire change of base, would 
never effect results, as my interest account alone 
is a tremendous item ; so I have been planning, 
when I had any chance to plan anything, a sort 
of outline of operations that seemed to me to 
have feasibility in them, and looking to a round- 
up some day that would lift me clear out of the 


“Four Months After Date” 81 


woods. Moreover, yesterday I communed with 
myself seriously, and said to myself, ‘You are 
thirty-five years old, and it is time you were 
making a strike if you ever expect to.’ Am I 
tiring you?’’ 

“Not a bit, Billy; I am deeply interested — go 
on. I have been thinking about you a good deal 
of late.” 

“Well, at present my income, outside of any 
turns like we have just made, is a trifle over nine- 
teen thousand dollars a year, and I manage in 
one way and another, to add from two to five 
thousand to this, so that it is safe to say that my 
total income is in excess of twenty-one thou- 
sand. 

“Now, my personal and house expenses are, I 
think, between nine and ten thousand, and my 
interest account close to fourteen thousand, so 
you see that, notwithstanding my substantial in- 
come, I go behind, and I can’t cut down the 
family expenses enough to see any daylight, so 
I haven’t attempted to cut them any.” 

“Well, upon my word, Billy, that’s a remarka- 
ble state of things. Don’t you see it yourself?” 

“I do see it, Dune, and perhaps the time has 
come to make a lunge at liquidation, though I 
admit I am being forced to such an opinion more 
by the condition of my home matters, than by 
actually looking on the business chances of a 
successful round-up of my plans. One thing is 
certain : I will never, while I have my health, 


82 “Four Months After Date” 


voluntarily undertake any scheme that does not 
fully provide for every one of my creditors. I 
owe a duty to myself and to my family to fight 
that consummation to the death. I have been 
in the grasp of Shylock so long and kept the 
sheriff from my doorstep, that I will let the whole 
structure, myself included, fall before I will seek 
compromise. There is a breathing spell now, 
thanks to your success in handling your trade, 
and it may be that your clear head, having just 
had such excellent practice, can find promise in 
the look of the hand I hold. Shall I explain it 
to you?” 

“By all means. I am sure you must have 
something up your sleeve, for no man could be 
as confident as you, having the ability you have, 
without something to draw to.” 

“Well, you see, Dune, I need just such aid as 
you can give me, not merely with money, but 
with your systematic and judicial mind, and — 
yes, your well-demonstrated ability to negotiate 
operations. Not small financial matters — leave 
them to me — but substantial turns on a proper 
footing in the business world. I think if you 
would put your mind on the general situation in 
my line of business, you would see opportuni- 
ties. Do you want to look at it, Dune?” 

“Sail ahead, Billy; but first give me a fresh 
cigar.” 


“Four Months After Date” 83 


CHAPTER VIII. 

Mr. Burt pushed the button and Peter, the of- 
fice boy, entered. 

"Peter, I wish you would ask Mr. Ellis to 
come in.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

"Sam,” said Burt, when that gentleman ap- 
peared, "I am going to have a talk with Mr. 
Drew, and wish you to guard us against inter- 
ruption. Please consider me out of town, and 
don’t let the boys bring me any cards, until I 
notify you. I may want you to come in by-and- 
by, and if I do, I’ll call.” 

“Now, Dune,” said Billy when Ellis had with- 
drawn, “how much money exactly have you in 
good hard cash?” 

“I have at this moment one hundred and 
forty-seven thousand dollars in the Importers’ & 
Traders’, but eleven thousand of it belongs to 
my sister, and will have to be taken out, as soon 
as I can find some investment for her ; this leaves 
me one hundred and thirty-six thousand of my 
own — no one dependent on me, bachelor, no en- 
tanglements, and thirty-three.” 

“My hat is off to you, Dune, and I’d like to 
tell you just how much I admire your ability, 


84 “Four Months After Date” 


and envy you the clean slate. By George, you 
are a daisy ! Made it every cent yourself, didn’t 
you?” 

“I had five thousand left me, that’s all ; but 
I’ve been lucky.” 

“Well, luck or not, it’s great, and comparison 
with my ragged showing, gives a fellow pause.” 

“We’re wasting time, Billy, on this admiration 
business ; let’s have your scheme.” 

“Well, Brother Drew, do you know how many 
concerns there are in my line of business in this 
country?” 

“Yes,” said Drew, “there are six.” 

“Dune, you’re a wonder. I didn’t suppose you 
knew anything about our trade.” 

“I’ve been looking into it a little.” 

“Well, what else do you know?” 

“Nothing of any importance, I guess. You 
go on and tell your story.” 

Billy unlocked a small drawer in his desk, and 
drew out a memorandum book. 

“There are six competing concerns in this 
business. First, there’s the big Broadwater 
Co., of New York — take a memorandum of them 
on this pad, will you? — the Broadwater Co., of 
New York, capital two millions, paid ten per 
cent, regularly for six years, surplus $150,000, in- 
vested in Government bonds. 

“Second, the Middle States Co., of Buffalo ; 
capital $500,000, very close, dividend unknown, 
but credit excellent. 


“Four Months After Date” 85 


“Third, the Alleghany Co., of Pittsburg, capi- 
tal $100,000, been organized three years only, 
making headway, will pay dividend this year. 

“Fourth, the Hamilton Co., of New York, of 
which the Honorable Mr. Burt is treasurer and 
manager, capital $150,000, been organized twelve 
years, pays ten per cent, regularly, has surplus 
twenty thousand. 

“Fifth, the Eastern Mfg. Co., capital $100,000, 
pays twelve per cent., hustling concern. 

“Sixth, the Empire State Mfg. Co., capital 
$100,000, pays eight per cent., also a hustling 
company. 

“Now, how much of that is new to you, 
Dune?” 

“Let’s see,” said Drew, drawing a memoran- 
dum from his pocket, and comparing it. “None 
of it to speak of ; I have it all here, substantially.” 

“Look here, you scare me, Dune; where did 
you pick up this information?” 

“Oh, merely from Bradstreet, and from casual 
inquiry. I — well, go on !” 

“Perhaps you can tell me who controls these 
companies.” 

“Young Jimmy Broadwater controls the 
Broadwater Co., but I don’t know anything 
about the rest.” 

“Well, the Middle States Co. — no man 
knoweth. Their board of directors are dummies, 
and the real people keep out of sight. I suppose 
they are the Broadwater Co. people.” 


86 “Four Months After Date” 


“Oh, ho !” exclaimed Drew, “this thing is get- 
ting interesting, it narroweth and broadeneth.” 

“The Alleghany Co. is a free lance, plunging 
around in the dark.” 

“Well, what about the three other New York 
companies ?” 

“I am treasurer and manager of one and vice- 
president of both of the others,” announced 
Burt. 

“Oh, oh, oh !” exclaimed Drew. “And still 
hard up and in debt — oh, blind, blind! You are 
right, Billy, you need a guardian, and you need 
me for that guardian. If I’m not mistaken we'll 
shake up your line of business before long; but 
you can’t imagine how much you surprise me, 
for I never looked up the officers of any but the 
big company. Now tell me how much stock you 
hold.” 

“Eighty thousand in this company here, thirty- 
seven thousand five hundred in the Eastern, and 
twenty-five thousand in the Empire State, and 
it’s all in the hock.” 

“How much is the Eastern stock in for?” 

“Eight thousand.” 

“Who has it?” 

“A good friend who wouldn't sell it away from 
under me.” 

“How much is the Empire stock up for?” 

“Five thousand.” 

“Where is that?” 

“At Fowler’s bank,” 


“Four Months After Date” 87 

“Well, who controls the Eastern Co.?” 

“I am supposed to, whenever I get time be- 
tween notes.” 

“How is that? You only have three-eighths 
of the stock.” 

“Why, old John Pemberton has a quarter, and 
he has been South for over a year, and I have a 
proxy ; furthermore, the old gentleman got me 
to go in, and sold me the stock I have, and 
agreed to let me run his share.” 

“Well, upon my word ! And who controls the 
Empire Co.?” 

“Substantially the same as the Eastern.” 

“Why, Billy Burt, you’re lying right next to 
a mint, and are apparently too lazy to roll over 
and shovel in the money that comes out of the 

machine. Still hard up ! Oh, of all Well, 

open that window wider, I need air ! There ! 
Give me the details of the Empire control, and 
do it quick.” 

“Why, three-eighths of the stock is held by me 
as trustee for a young woman I have never seen, 
but who comes of age in a few months. Her 
name is Clarkson. Her father died two years 
ago, and before he died he made me trustee of 
this stock, believing that, as combined with my 
quarter it would control the business, it would 
be to the best interests of the company. The 
trust is mentioned in his will also. The funny 
part of it is that Clarkson had known more about 
my absurd management of my own affairs than 


88 “Four Months After Date” 

any other person ; but he said, although I was a 
consummate ass in my own matters, he was con- 
vinced I knew the business thoroughly, and said 
something about trusting his daughter’s money 
to me that made me blush — fancy me a trustee !” 

“Well, it is curious, but I would do the same. 
You’re pretty bad, but you wouldn’t rob a left- 
handed girl nor an Episcopal church. Billy, your 
fortune is made, and so is mine, if I understand 
that you want me to go in with you on a deal to 
shake things up. You may not know it, but the 
Middle States Co. is the concern we want to find 
out about, and I know just how to go at it. Well, 
what’s the proposition?” 

“Halvers, Dune.” 

“Detail a little.” 

“Consider my stock in the three companies 
worth what we pay for the other stock in the 
same companies ; you put in your cash, or as 
much of it as may be needed; I put in my per- 
sonal facilities, and all the facilities of the com- 
panies for raising money. You do the engineer- 
ing of all negotiations and operations outside of 
my three companies, and I’ll handle the finances. 
How much will you need altogether to swing the 
thing?” 

“I think about three hundred and fifty thou- 
sand dollars.” 

“I guarantee to get five hundred thousand dol- 
lars, if necessary, with your big wad of ‘ready’ 
to draw to.” 


‘‘Four Months After Date” 89 

“In the wind-up we divide profits equally/’ 
said Dune. “Shall we have papers?” 

“I’ve always made my biggest contracts ver- 
bally, but just as you say.” 

“That suits me,” said Dune. 

“Shall Ellis keep our books? We’ll have to 
have some books.” 

“Do you recommend him?” 

“I do, most assuredly.” 

“I like his looks myself, and if you trust him, 
I can.” 

“We’ll have to have a sort of partnership, 
Drew & Burt, eh?” 

“Don’t like the sound of it, and Burt & Drew 
don’t sound well, either; besides, I don’t think 
I’d better appear just yet. Call it William S. 
Burt & Co.” 

“That will give me a little better pull with 
Cromwell, too,” said Burt, “to have my name the 
only one in sight. When shall we turn this 
thing loose?” 

“Right away, I think, Billy.” 

“Aren’t you a little impetuous, old man?” 

“No, my mind’s made up ; and I’m quite sure 
the proper time has come to act. I have a blank 
check here, and will make it for anything you 
say, up to the limit of my pile.” 

“Very well, then, Dune, make it out to Will- 
iam S. Burt & Co. for one hundred thousand dol- 
lars, and we’ll take it around to Cromwell’s and 
open another account with him to-day. I opened 


90 “Four Months After Date” 


one there this morning for five thousand in my 
own name.” 

Burt summoned Ellis. 

“Sam, sit down a minute. Mr. Drew and I 
have just concluded a bargain of some magni- 
tude, and would like you to keep some books 
for us. You can keep them away from all other 
eyes, can’t you?” 

“Oh, yes, sure.” 

“Well, have you a blank ledger-ruled book in 
any of the stationery closets?” 

“I think so,” said Ellis, and after a minute’s 
absence, produced a small ledger. 

“Now,” said Burt, “write on the fly-leaf, ‘Will- 
iam S. Burt & Co.,’ and underneath write, 


“ ‘William S. Burt, 
“ ‘Duncan Drew, 


t. Equal partners.’ 


“Now give it to me.” Burt then signed his full 
name. “Now, Dune, sign your name here, and 
we are tied as tight as a drum. Sam, you witness 
the signatures, and put the date. 

“This matter, I need hardly tell you, Sam, is 
strictly private. Don’t talk in your sleep. If you 
have a habit of telling big stories to your best 
girl, break yourself of it, for this musn’t leak. If 
the thing wins out, you’ll see something worth 
while. Mr. Drew is managing it, and he’s a won- 
der. Now, Sam, I wish you would take this 
check around to the Importers’ & Traders’ and 
get it certified, and bring it back here to me. 


“Four Months After Date” 91 

Don’t faint away,” and Burt handed Sam the big 
check. Ellis looked up an instant, but said noth- 
ing, and went out. 

Sam was a good fellow, and he had the most 
profound admiration for Burt. Often he had 
loaned Burt money in his pinches, and had of- 
fered to make a permanent investment with him, 
for Ellis was worth about fifty thousand, which 
he had inherited ; but Burt had never taken any- 
thing from Sam, except temporary accommoda- 
tion. When Sam came back with the certified 
check, he said to Burt in Drew’s hearing: 

“You know, Mr. Burt, that I have a consid- 
erable sum in convenient shape for quick use. I 
don’t know what business you and Mr. Drew are 
going in, but I’d like to have a chance to put my 
capital in, if you’ll let me.” 

“Good, Sam! We may need your money aw- 
fully bad before we get through with the push 
we are starting for ; but we won’t absorb it now.” 

“Any time, Mr. Burt,” and Ellis passed out, 
wondering what operations the two men were 
planning. 

“Now, Dune,” said Billy, looking at his watch, 
“come along, and we’ll go around to Cromwell’s 
and open this account. There’s just time to get 
it going before the bank closes.” 

“I’m with you,” said Dune. 


92 “Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER IX. 

“Dune,” said Billy, when they returned to the 
office, “do you know that we have in the last two 
hours made a compact that may ruin you and 
destroy everything I hold sacred on earth?” 

“Yes, Billy, I know it, and I know I am willing 
to make the throw if you are, for I have con- 
ceived a great faith in the chances of success. 
You see, your strong hold on these three con- 
cerns here, that are in good, reputable standing, 
simplifies the thing so that I wonder you have 
not undertaken it before.” 

“Well,” responded Burt, “I couldn’t give the 
time to it on account of my personal finances, for 
one thing, and then I know that in attempting 
such a thing alone I am out of my depth. With 
you in it with me, if you are sure that the proper 
time for action has come, I shall feel perfectly 
secure that the best plans will be followed, and if 
we fail, it will be because the proposition does 
not contain the elements of success. You are not 
usually so impetuous in your methods ; are you 
sure we are going slow enough?” 

“Now look here, Billy, I am sure that there is 
no possession more necessary to a business man 
than ability to see opportunity. To hesitate 


“Four Months After Date” 93 

when fortune offers is madness. My judgment 
on these matters is not warped by my recent suc- 
cess. I am not a plunger, I have made more of a 
study of the general situation in your business 
than I have indicated, and a combination can be 
effected on perfectly safe lines ; so safe under the 
circumstances that, with my ready money and 
the credit of your three concerns, a partial suc- 
cess will put us in a strong position, and com- 
plete success will make us independent.” 

“Suppose you outline your plans to me.” 

Drew puffed away on his cigar for a few min- 
utes, while Burt waited for him to begin. 

“You see, Billy, the Broadwater Co. and the 
Middle States Co. do four-fifths of all the busi- 
ness in your line, and indications are good that 
the Middle States Co. is controlled by the Broad- 
water interests; at any rate, the two concerns 
work in union against all the rest of you. Isn’t 
that so?” 

“Perfectly correct, Dune.” 

“Well, not merely the control, but the entire 
stock of your three companies must be procured 
and held, also the entire stock of the Pittsburg 
Co. What’s the name?” 

“Allegheny Construction Company.” 

“Yes, the Allegheny Co. will have to be 
bought up; then, you see, with all the interests 
opposed to the Broadwater interests consolidated 
the chances for a trade with them are increased 
many fold, and if no trade is made, the invest- 


94 


“Four Months After Date” 


ment in these four companies can be made very 
profitable by a simple reduction of expense, and 
wiping out the number of competitors. Still 
further, you can see that a trade agreement could 
be entered into by which competition will be 
thrown, even if no closer alliance can be made. 
We are not taking such a tremendous plunge, al- 
though we may have to juggle with big figures ; 
but while all your personal holdings in these 
three companies are mortgaged, still your power 
to control their policy is not open to dispute, and 
you are now in position to protect yourself 
against any contingency, by using the money of 
W. S. Burt & Co. 

“I will leave you to secure all the stock of all 
three of your companies on the best possible 
terms, and to provide funds for my operations, 
and I’ll go to Pittsburg and buy that outfit root 
and branch. I’ll start to-morrow, I think, but I 
won’t have things in shape to need money for 
several days. During the interim, I suppose you 
can rig up plans to get our financial machinery 
in order?” 

“Yes, I reckon so, Dune,” said Billy, “and I 
shall enjoy the process, though the amounts will 
stagger me a little. I shall have to start a big 
procession of promissory notes at work, and start 
them quick.” 

“I have special reasons for thinking prompt 
work is necessary, Billy, or at any rate, advisable. 
Jimmy Broadwater was in Princeton at the same 


“Four Months After Date” 95 

time I was, and I know him a little, though he 
was two classes behind me. Well, Jimmy was a 
plunger and cut a wide swath. He was, how- 
ever, a fire-eater, and if he has turned his atten- 
tion to business and taken a fancy to it, you may 
rely on it he’s driving things. I have been in- 
formed within the past week that he has his eye 
on that little company out in Pittsburg, and I 
want to get ahead of him if I can.” 

“How did you find that out, Dune?” 

“Through a man that belongs to his club, and 
whom I sometimes see at lunch at the Mer- 
chants’. Depend on it, if Broadwater wants that 
Pittsburg company, we want it, and want it bad. 
After we get it he can buy it of us, if he’s willing 
to pay for it.” 

“This is a great game, Dune, and you thor- 
oughly outclass me. If I had had a partner like 
you, it would have been worth a fortune to me.” 

“Thanks, Billy, and let me say right here that 
there is no man living but you I should trust to 
go into a thing like this, for aside from the item 
of square dealing, there is the necessity for 
heavy financial operations which must be done to 
a turn, and that takes the kind of nerve which 
you possess and never lose. Well, I’ll go, I 
think. I will make my plans to go to Pittsburg 
to-morrow night, will drop in on you again to- 
morrow; but we understand each other, and if 
you feel as confident as I, you won’t lose much 
sleep through anxiety.” 


96 “Four Months After Date” 

After Drew had gone, Billy made a lot of 
figures on a piece of paper, and then after think- 
ing his plans over he sent for Ellis. 

“Sit down, Sam. Sam, you are familiar with 
the Hamilton Co/s affairs, do you think the 
company a good thing?” 

“I think it has tremendous possibilities, Mr. 
Burt, chances that go elsewhere ; but even as it 
is, I, of course, know that it is perfectly sound.” 

“Well, Sam, I am going to buy the shares 
that do not now stand in my name, and it oc- 
curred to me that perhaps you would like to 
chip in.” 

“How much?” inquired Sam instantly. 

“Half of whatever it takes.” 

“It may take more than Eve got, and I don’t 
want to tie it all up unless there’s some big 
move on foot.” 

“Well, I’ll tell you confidentially, Sam, that 
Mr. Drew and I are making some plans that may 
increase the value of the company. If' you want 
to join on the Hamilton stock, we’ll give you the 
profit on the stock you provide money for, 
though you must, if you stand as a stockholder, 
give your written consent that I shall handle the 
concerns as though I owned it all.” 

“What are the prospects of profit?” 

“I think the chances are good of doubling 
your money at least.” 

“I’ll go in,” said Sam, “whatever you can af- 
ford to do, I can.” 


“Four Months After Date” 97 

“How soon can you get your money here?’’ 
inquired Burt. 

“I can bring in twenty-five thousand to-mor- 
row, and another twenty-five the next day. I 
have half in government 4s and the other half in 
N. Y. Central bonds.” 

“Well, bring it in. Let’s see ! How soon can 
we get hold of the stockholders? I’d like to have 
them all come in together, and I’ll buy out the 
lot of them at once.” 

“Suppose they won’t sell?” 

“They will sell.” 

“What do you expect to pay?” 

“125.” 

“What about the surplus?” 

“I’ll concede an addition for the surplus, if 
necessary.” 

“I think I could find them all to-night and ask 
them to come in to see you to-morrow afternoon 
— there are only six of them, you know.” 

“Well, try it, Sam, and bring them around to- 
morrow if you can.” 

Burt then left his office, and going around to 
the other two offices had calls sent out for the 
stockholders to meet on the second and fourth 
days from this respectively. After this Burt 
ended his eventful day by going home. 


98 “Four Months After Date" 


CHAPTER X. 

The next morning Burt had Ellis draw up * 
four notes, one for seventy-five hundred dollars, 
and three for twenty-five hundred dollars each, 
all payable to the order of William S. Burt. 
These notes he signed William S. Burt & Co., 
and took them out himself for discount to his 
personal credit. Sam had brought in his twen- 
ty-five thousand dollars shortly after ten o’clock, 
and Billy deposited it to the credit of W. S. Burt 
& Co. in Cromwell’s bank. The seventy-five 
hundred-dollar note he also had discounted in 
this bank, without a second’s hesitation on the 
part of Cromwell, and the proceeds passed to 
the credit of his individual account. 

“Mr. Cromwell,” said Billy, when this was 
done, “I am engineering some manipulation of 
stock in certain companies competitive with 
mine — acquiring it, in fact — and it may be neces- 
sary to use some large sums during the next few 
days. If I succeed in making my purchases, I 
shall need the money for several months, say 
three or four, perhaps five. I shall not want to 
put up stock collateral, but will have good paper ; 
about how much do you think you can let me 
have?” 


“Four Months After Date” 


99 


“What will the paper be, Mr. Burt?” 

“There will probably be a four-months’ note 
for $50,000 of the Hamilton Co., just as soon as 
I make my bargain, possibly 
day after to-morrow. I don’t 
know just what else there will 
be, but as much more perhaps 
in two chunks.” 

“I’ll take the Hamilton paper, 
of course, and will see about 
the other when you bring it in.” 

“I would like to know now, 

Mr. Cromwell,” said Burt with- 
out flinching. 

“Describe the paper.” 

“Eastern Mfg. Co. of New York, for one.” 

“And how much from them — twenty-five 
thousand dollars?” 

“Twenty-five or thirty,” said Billy easily. 

“And the other?” 

“The Empire State Mfg. Co.” 

“About the same amount?” 

“Yes.” 

Mr. Cromwell referred to the commercial rat- 
ing of these companies, and quoted : 

“ ‘Eastern Mfg. Co., railroad specialties, 75 to 
100, credit high.’ ‘Empire State Mfg. Co., rail- 
road specialties, 50 to 75, credit good.’ Rather 
doubtful, Mr. Burt, pretty big contract; four- 
months’ paper you say?” 

“Four or five.” 



ioo “Four Months After Date” 


“What transaction does this paper represent?’’ 

“No transaction — it’s accommodation paper,” 
announced Billy calmly. 

“Out of the ques ” Cromwell stopped, and 

for the first time smiled. “You are making a 
joke, I think, Mr. Burt.” 

“Far from it; I am telling you the truth — 
something you don’t often get.” 

“True indeed, very, very true; but I can’t see 
how I can do it. I’ll look it up, though, and let 
you know.” 

“I’ll have to get an answer this morning, Mr. 
Cromwell, for all my plans depend on my fa- 
cilities. I’ve got over one hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars of hard money in this bank 
now, including the account I opened yesterday, 
and the Hamilton account, entirely apart from 
discounts. I shall have twenty-five thousand 
more here to-morrow, and can add about fifty to 
that if necessary. I’ve got this thing going, and 
I’m after the swing in my line of business. I 
don’t suppose more than half of this money will 
be needed, but if expedient to blow it all in, the 
paper is amply good for it.” 

“You startle me a little, Mr. Burt. Can you 
tell me something more about these companies? 
Are they prospering?” 

“Yes, they are both making money. The 
Eastern Company has earned twelve per cent, 
for the last three years, and the Empire State 
eight per cent, for a little longer.” 


“Four Months After Date” ioi 


“To what account would the discount be 
credited?’' 

“W. S. Burt & Co.” 

“Your new account — hum!” 

“I tell you what I can do also : I can put the 
Hamilton Co. on the back of it.” 

“That alters it materially, sir ; but how can you 
do that?” 

“I shall own every share of stock in the Hamil- 
ton Co. before I need the other discounts.” 

“Very well, Mr. Burt, I’ll take the paper.” 

“Thank you very much,” said Burt. “Good 
morning.” 

Billy then went around to the Fidelity Bank 
and handed all three of the twenty-five-hundred- 
dollar notes to Mr. Emerson. 

“How many of them do you want, Uncle 
Peter?” 

“Got any more?” said Emerson, looking 
scared. “Why, I thought you were burning up 
money day before yesterday; what are these 
worth a pound, Billy?” 

“Avoirdupois?” 

“Yes.” 

“Don’t you want them?” 

“Must I take them?” 

“No, sir, you needn’t take them. I’m bring- 
ing you these as a favor. If you don’t want them 
I know who does.” 

“Who is W. S. Burt & Co.?” 

“Another fellow and I.” 


102 “Four Months After Date” 


“How long since?” 

“Yesterday.” 

“What’s your scheme this time, Billy?” 

“Going to scoop the pot this time.” 

“Who’s the Co.?” 

“Say, Uncle Peter, just for fun call up Crom- 
well and ask him if he’ll certify W. S. Burt & 
Co.’s check for $50,000.” 

“Do you mean it?” 

“Yes, ask him; use just those words.” 

Emerson went to the telephone closet, and in a 
minute or two returned very much excited. 

“I didn’t think that of you, Billy.” 

“Think what?” 

“Taking that splendid account to Cromwell. 
I thought you’d remember your friends better 
than that.” 

“That account, Uncle Peter, would have 
scared you to death. I gave Cromwell a taste of 
it this morning; but what did he say just now 
over the ’phone?” 

“Said, ‘Yes, for two or three times that.’ ” 

“You mustn’t envy him, Mr. Emerson, I’ll 
make him squirm. He got his first lesson this 
morning. Do you want these notes?” 

“Yes, I need some paper to-day ; indorse them, 
and I’ll push them in.” 

“You’re easy now, eh? How much paper do 
you want? I don’t mean more off of this bunch, 
but old outfits like these,” and Billy handed 
Emerson a list of the three names. 


“Four Months After Date” 103 

“How much have you got?” 

‘Til have it made to order.” 

Emerson looked at his small black book. 

“Why, these concerns are rated pretty well !” 

“Do you want somewhere between ten and 
fifty thousand?” 

“You’re dealing in round numbers now, Burt 
— what have you hit?” 

“All bluff. I’m kiting checks between New 
York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Ex- 
change costs one way, but I get it back the 
other. I’m thinking of opening a branch in 
Hong Kong for the purpose, like Spain has in 
Manila.” 

“Seriously, Billy, do you want to float any 
paper from any of these concerns?” 

“I may.” 

“I could handle fifteen or twenty thousand, I 
guess; anyway, let me know when you get it. If 
I’m easy I’ll take some of it.” 

“Uncle Peter, I’d like you for a partner, if I 
hadn’t taken one. Fancy me with a hundred 
thousand in the bank !” 

“There’s lots of opportunities in this town for 
young fellows like you and me, Billy,” said 
Emerson. 

Burt went back to his office, and told Sam to 
make up two more notes to his order for five 
thousand dollars each. “Those twenty-five hun- 
dred-dollar notes go too easy, Sam, I want some- 
thing with more body to it.” 


104 “Four Months After Date” 


Sam smiled. “I have arranged for the six 
stockholders to be here at two o’clock, Mr. 
Burt,” he said. 

“All right, Sam, I’ll be on hand,” responded 
Billy as he went out of the door. “Oh, by the 
way, Sam, if Mr. Drew comes in tell him I’ll be 
back in about an hour.” 

Burt went first to Benson’s, and handing his 
note to the cashier, as in this bank the cashier, 
and not the president, was the man to see, in- 
quired, “Will you pass this to my individual 
credit, Mr. Flint?” 

Flint looked up, then down at the paper, and 
said, “Sit down, Mr. Burt, this is all right, of 
course, but I have to go through the form of 
getting a little information.” 

“All right, sir, I am ready.” 

“Who is W. S. Burt & Co.?” 

“A new firm consisting of myself and a man 
named Drew.” 

“Any rating?” 

“Not yet.” 

“How much capital have you?” 

“A clean hundred thousand.” 

“Goodness me! What are you giving notes 
for?” 

“It’s an accommodation to myself.” 

“What shape is your capital in?” 

“Hard cash at Cromwell’s. You might ask 
him over the ’phone whether he will certify $25,- 
000 for W. S. Burt & Co. Don’t ask him any 


“Four Months After Date” 105 


bigger sum, for I don’t want him to think I’m 
drawing all our money out.” 

Flint went to the ’phone, came back smiling 
and said, ‘Til just speak to the president about 
this.” Presently he returned, saying, “We’ll do 
this, Mr. Burt; the company you are interested 
in has a satisfactory account here, and we know 
you, and Mr. Benson says to do it.” 

“Much obliged, sir,” said Burt, and went on 
his way to Fowler’s. Fowler was in, as the ac- 
tive manager of a good bank generally is, and 
offered Burt a chair with his usual, “What can I 
do for you?” 

“This,” said Burt. 

“To whose account?” 

“My new individual account.” 

“W. S. Burt & Co., said Fowler slowly, and 
reached for his little black book. 

“No use, Mr. Fowler, it isn’t in there.” 

“This is a pretty good-sized note for a concern 
not rated.” 

“The firm is just organized.” 

“Your name seems to be all around this paper 
— foot, face and back ; you have a loan here now 
on collateral, I think?” 

“Yes; I will take that up, if you want me to.” 

“Oh, no, that’s all right, but I don’t quite un- 
derstand about this.” 

“Ask Cromwell about it.” 

“Now?” 

“Yes, I wish you would over the ’phone.” 


lo6 “Four Months After Date” 


Fowler went to the telephone, and after con- 
necting with Cromwell, the following dialogue 
took place : 

Fowler — Will you buy W. S. Burt & Co.’s 
note, four months, five thousand? 

Cromwell — Have you one to sell? 

Fowler — I am offered one. 

Cromwell — If you don’t want it, send it to 
me. 

Fowler — Thanks ! Good-bye. 

Going back to Burt he said, “I still would like 
to know why you bring this to me, for Cromwell 
says he’ll take it.” 

“Why, I intend soon to take up that stock 
loan, will do so now if you want me to, and I 
want to establish the credit of W. S. Burt & Co. 
with you ; still you may, of course, do as you like 
about it.” 

“Don’t be offended, Mr. Burt; what is the 
capital of W. S. Burt & Co.?” 

“One hundred thousand dollars.” 

“Where is it?” 

“All in Cromwell’s bank.” 

“Why didn’t you say so before?” 

“You didn’t ask me.” 

“I’ll take this then, of course; why didn’t you 
bring the account to us?” 

“I may give you some of it yet, if you treat 
me right; we’re going to make things hum.” 
And Fowler put his initials on the corner of the 
paper and dropped it in the basket. 


“Four Months After Date** 107 

“These were the hard ones, these little fellows, 
but that account at Cromwell's is a winner,” 
soliloquized Burt on his way home. 

Burt and Drew lunched together and com- 
pleted their plans, and Burt was back at the of- 
fice a few minutes after two to meet the stock- 
holders, and attempt the wholly characteristic 
but unbusinesslike plan of buying all their stock 
at once. These six stockholders of the Hamil- 
ton Company owned together seven hundred 
shares, par value seventy thousand dollars. Five 
of them owned fifty shares each, and one man 
named Andrews owned the balance, four hun- 
dred and fifty shares. Burt anticipated some 
trouble with this man, but thought the others 
would accept his offer readily. 

“Good day, gentlemen,” said Burt, “I hope I 
haven’t kept you waiting,” then looking around, 
he said, “I see Mr. Andrews isn’t here yet” — just 
then Sam came to the door and said that An- 
drews had called on the telephone that he 
couldn’t arrive before half-past two. “Well, 
we’ll wait,” said Burt. “Meanwhile, let’s have 
something to smoke.” 

Burt offered them all his box of cigars, and 
one of the men inquired, “What’s up, Mr. Burt, 
are we going to break?” 

“No, I guess not — not this week, anyway ; but 
there’s no use my telling the story twice; let’s 
chat till Mr. Andrews comes.” 

Presently Andrews bustled in — a portly man 


io8 “Four Months After Date” 


about fifty, with many apologies for delay. This 
being late at a business meeting was a fad of An- 
drews. He thought it increased his importance. 

“Well, Mr. Burt, all the stockholders are now 
present — what do you want of us?” said An- 
drews as he settled down into a chair. 

“Well, gentlemen, to go straight to the point : 
this business is for all of you an outside invest- 
ment, but for me it’s bread and butter. I have 
tried to run the company conservatively for the 
years I have been its manager, and I know it’s 
in a sound condition. I have always been frank 
with you about my personal matters, and it will 
be no surprise to many of you to know that I 
have been constantly going behind for years. I 
am not very good at singing my own praises, 
probably because I know my failings, but I do 
know I have run the concern on safe lines and 
have let you name my salary, notwithstanding I 
vote over half the stock.” Burt stopped a mo- 
ment, and the complete silence was broken, to 
his surprise, by Mr. Andrews, who said : 

“We have every confidence in you, Mr. Burt, 
and I for one would gladly vote for a larger sal- 
ary for you if you want it.” 

A murmur of assent ran around the room. 
Burt turned away a moment to compose him- 
self, then continued : 

“I have not asked you all to leave your busi- 
ness and come here for the purpose of sounding 
my own praises, or asking for a vote of thanks, 


“Four Months After Date” 109 


although your words of approval are very grati- 
fying, and I thank you all very much. A mere 
question of salary will hardly accomplish relief 
for me now. I am very deeply in debt, and have 
an expensive family, for while I have been con- 
servative for the company, I have managed my 
own matters with surprising imbecility.” 

Here Andrews spoke up : “I for one, Mr. 
Burt, am willing to come to your relief to any 
reasonable amount, and I think the others will, 
too.” 

“You fellows are altogether too kind. I wish 
I had come to you before, but I have formed a 
plan, which will either make or break, and I’m 
going to make a grand-stand play with what I 
have. I want to change the policy of this con- 
cern in a way I am sure you would not approve, 
and I propose to buy you all out.” 

Complete silence followed Burt’s announce- 
ment, then the six men looked at each other, and 
finally one of them said, “But we may not want 
to sell.” 

“Well, I’ll be entirely frank with you,” said 
Burt. “I am two hundred thousand dollars in 
debt, and I’ve got to pursue a different policy al- 
together with this company. I don’t want to ask 
any one’s consent to my plans, so I have ar- 
ranged for a big loan from one of my friends, 
and want to make you all entirely safe by buying 
you out. There’s no use of my going along as 
I have been going, so I propose to become ag- 


iio “Four Months After Date” 


gressive, and I’ll ask you all to put a price on 
your stock.” 

“But,” said Mr. Andrews, “we may want to 
join with you in your plans.” 

“You wouldn’t, for they are wild; moreover, I 
shall have to make so much money to get even 
that if there is any division, I’d be as badly off as 
now, or nearly so, and I think you are all willing 
that I shall have a chance for my fling, especially 
as I am prepared to settle with you at once on a 
reasonable basis for your shares. I’ll go out in 
the other office, and you can talk it over, and de- 
cide what you will take. Don’t be too hard on 
me, for I don’t want to drive any bargain. I 
have my mind made up what I will pay, and I’ll 
write my price down on a piece of paper, and 
you can do the same, after you conclude, so that 
when you call me we can turn them both up on 
the table here, and see how far we are apart. Do 
you agree?” 

“Well,” said Andrews, “I haven’t the slightest 
desire to sell, but I am willing to sell anything I 
hold here or anywhere at a proper price, and if 
you really have concluded to make us sell, I sup- 
pose we must put a price on our shares.” 

“I don’t want you to feel that I am crowding 
you a particle, for you have always shown me the 
greatest consideration ; but I know my situation 
cannot be relieved by any half measures, and I 
don’t think you fellows will stand in my way.” 

They looked at each other a few moments, and 


“Four Months After Date” 1 1 1 


then said they would talk it over anyway, and 
Burt went out. 

It was nearly half an hour before they called 
him in, and when they did he glanced at their 
faces, but found no clew to their sentiments. A 
big sheet of paper was lying on the table, and 
Burt placed another alongside, without a word. 

“Mr. Andrews/’ said Burt, “turn them up.” 

When this was done it was found that the six 
gentlemen had agreed on 140, and Burt had 
written 125 as his price. They all stood around 
the table in silence ; finally Burt spoke : 

“I will add 13 to mine on account of the sur- 
plus earnings of the company, not divided, and 
make my price 138; will you meet me?” 

“I am willing,” said Mr. Andrews promptly, 
and all the rest nodded assent. 

“It is too late to get a check certified to-day, 
but if you will all get your certificates ready, I 
will send you checks for them the first thing in 
the morning, after bank opens.” 

“Oh, I guess we can all call here, Mr. Burt,” 
said Andrews, and to this they all agreed. 

“The checks will be ready here by ten-thirty 
to-morrow,” said Burt. 

“I am sure, Mr. Burt,” said Andrews, “that I 
voice the sentiment of all, when I say I wish you 
every success, and if you fail in your enterprise, 
you may call on us to start you up. I think you 
have acted very honorably, though I am really 
sorry to sell.” 


1 12 “Four Months After Date” 


They all then shook hands with Burt and left 
with many expressions of gratitude. 

“Well, Sam,” said Burt after they had all gone, 
“I have it all at 138, and the surplus stays; sup- 
pose you get those bonds from the safe deposit 
company first thing in the morning, and we’ll 
turn that $20,000 surplus into cash. The con- 
cern is ours; better draw W. S. Burt & Co.’s 
check to my order for ninety thousand, then 
draw checks on my account at Cromwell’s for 
the proper amounts to pay these gentlemen. 
Let’s see, we now have $125,000 in the W. S. 
Burt & Co. account, and I have $12,500 in my 
Cromwell account, less discount on $7,500. 
Drawing out $90,000 of the W. S. Burt & Co. 
money will leave us $35,000 ; to this you will add 
your deposit of $25,000 in the morning, that will 
make that account $60,000. Putting the $90,- 
000 in my account and drawing out the $96,- 
600 for the stock will leave my personal balance 
about $5,800. You had better have Driscoll draw 
the Hamilton Co.’s note for $49,500, four months, 
to order of W. S. Burt & Co., and after the stock 
is turned in here to-morrow, we’ll elect a new 
board of directors, and make you treasurer; 
when this is done we can sign the note properly, 
and I’ll have it entered up to Burt & Co.’s credit. 
You may also have the company’s note made out 
to my individual order for four months for $8,000 
and I’ll put that in the Fidelity.” 

“These are pretty big figures,” said Sam. 


“Four Months After Date” 113 

“Wait and see,” said Burt. 

The following morning Burt went to Crom- 
well's to make the transfer of the $90,000 and 
secure certification of his checks. 

Cromwell hailed him as soon as he entered the 
bank : 

“Look here, Mr. Burt, what were you trying 
to do yesterday? I was called on the 'phone 
about every fifteen minutes all day long asking 
about your account, and offering me notes. 
What does all this mean?” 

“This,” said Burt, handing him the checks, “I 
was buying stock all the afternoon. I have all 
the Hamilton Co. stock now, and these checks 
pay for it.” 

“What note was that Fowler said he had of 
yours for $5,000?” 

“One I took there to take some stock out of 
pawn. I'll bring you around that Hamilton 
note, I spoke about yesterday, after a while, and 
put some money in the bank. I’ll have $25,000 
to add to W. S. Burt & Co.’s acount and $20,- 
000 for the Hamilton account; this $20,000 is 
some surplus we have been holding in bonds, but 
which I will give to you here for the present.” 

“All right,” said Cromwell. 

Burt took his certified checks around to his 
office, and before eleven that morning was in 
possession of all the stock of the Hamilton Mfg. 
Co., except that which he already had in his own 
name. The second $25,000 of Ellis’ money was 


1 14 “Four Months After Date” 

then deposited to the credit of W. S. Burt & Co., 
and the proceeds of the sale of the bonds repre- 
senting the Hamilton Co.’s surplus were depos- 
ited to the credit of that company. Then when 
the clerical work of issuing new shares in place 
of the surendered ones had been accomplished, 
a new board of directors and officers were elec- 
ted. The notes of the Hamilton Company at 
four months for $49,500, in favor of W. S. Burt 
& Co., and for $8,000, in favor of W. S. Burt, 
were made and the larger note sent around to 
Cromwell’s by Ellis to be discounted to Burt & 
Co.’s credit. Mr. Cromwell took this with the 
remark to Ellis, to “tell Mr. Burt that it is all 
right.” 

“Now, let’s see,” said Burt when Ellis re- 
turned, “we had $14,000 in the Hamilton account 
at Cromwell’s and the deposit of $20,000 gives 
us $34,000 in that account; we had $60,000 in 
the W. S. Burt & Co.’s account, and the dis- 
count of the Hamilton Co.’s note runs that ac- 
count up to $109,500, less about $1,000 for dis- 
counts. Sam, I shall want to have you elected 
an officer in the Eastern Mfg. Co. to-morrow 
morning, though not its treasurer just yet. I 
want you to be an officer there to watch things a 
little, but I don’t want you to sign checks or 
paper quite yet, as I wish to use the notes of 
those two companies and don’t want to have the 
signatures look alike.” 

“All right, Mr. Burt,” said Sam, 


“Four Months After Date” 115 


“It’s now one o’clock,” said Burt, looking at 
his watch. “The stockholders of the Eastern Co. 
will be at that office at one-thirty. I’ll just get a 
bite to eat, and meet them on time.” 

Eleven worthy gentlemen held the three hun- 
dred and seventy-five shares of the Eastern Mfg. 
Co. that Burt wanted to buy, and while he knew 
his method of negotiation would probably make 
the stock cost him more than some more crafty 
plan, he did not care to have the record of 
coercing these gentlemen to sell for less than fair 
figures by depreciating the value of the property 
through wilful mismanagement or ingenious 
scheme. He knew the stock was good, and they 
all knew it ; still, they were small holders, all of 
them, and having purchased the shares origin- 
ally at par, Burt was willing they should have 
proper profit. 

It was a surprising thing that the whole eleven 
were on hand at the time of his arrival at the of- 
fice of the Eastern Mfg. Co., and wondering 
greatly why they had been asked to assemble. 
Burt soon put them in possession of this infor- 
mation : 

“Gentlemen,” said he, “I have found it impos- 
sible to give to this company as much attention 
as my holdings warrant, and I have concluded to 
make you a buy or sell offer. I have secured the 
consent of Mr. Pemberton, whose attorney I am, 
and who is, as you know, at present in the South 
for his health, where he will probably remain for 


1 1 6 “Four Months After Date” 


another year, and I am able to offer to you my 
holdings and his, amounting to five-eighths of 
the stock of this company, or I will buy all your 
stock at the same price I will sell for. If it 
should result in my purchase, I shall put a man 
in charge here who will be entirely capable of 
running things to my liking. If I sell to you, 
of course, you will follow your own judgment. 
I am offering to you the controlling shares as a 
whole, and they would naturally be worth more 
than the minority shares, but there has never 
been any question of minority or majority here- 
tofore, and I do not propose to introduce one 
now by asking more for my shares than I am 
willing to pay for yours. There has been uni- 
versal accord always, and there shall be now ; I 
know that several of you gentlemen are men of 
means, and entirely able at short notice to raise 
the money necessary for such a transaction, and 
feeling compelled to gather my personal efforts 
into a little more concentrated shape, I wish to 
retire altogether from this company, and push 
my interests elsewhere with greater vigor, or I 
wish to be able to inaugurate some methods in 
the concern, that will only be possible by having 
all the stock in my hands. What say you to the 
proposition ?” 

An elderly man, who held twenty-five shares 
of the stock, said that his experience in these 
matters had been that where a determination of 
this kind arose on the part of the leading interest 


“Four Months After Date” 117 

in the business it was never profitable to antag- 
onize it, unless the basis of settlement were un- 
fair; while having no desire to sell, he would 
hardly wish to undertake additional purchase 
under new auspices where Mr. Burt’s knowledge 
of the business would not be at the disposal of 
the company, and when, in fact, it might be in 
opposition to it. He would suggest that Mr. 
Burt write down on a paper the figures at which 
he would sell or buy, and let them stand while 
the other gentlemen had a chance to speak their 
minds. Burt wrote “120 cash” on a slip of paper, 
and placed it on a table face down, and waited 
for the other men to speak. 

Another man about sixty followed the first 
speaker, saying that his sentiments accorded ex- 
actly with the ideas of Mr. Edgerton, and he 
would prefer to sell, if the price were satisfactory, 
which he was convinced, from Mr. Burt’s method 
of approaching the subject, would be the case. 
The Eastern Mfg. Co. was a good thing, and 
he felt perfectly secure in holding his shares, but 
wouldn’t wish to do anything experimental or 
take any chances under new management. 

Then a young man named Eustace said that it 
seemed to him they were in the dark a good deal, 
and before he expressed any opinion he would 
like to know what the figures were. To this Burt 
replied, saying that it would be rather unfair to 
name the figures as long as the only sentiments 
expressed had been those in favor of sale to him. 


1 1 8 “Four Months After Date” 


He thought he had demonstrated the sincerity of 
his position by making his offer to either buy or 
sell, and placing the figures in advance within 
the reach of all at the end of the discussion. If 
any of the gentlemen wanted to make a corre- 
sponding proposition, he would be glad to have 
it. “You must bear in mind,” said he, “that I 
am making this proposition to sell or buy, and 
not simply to buy, or simply to sell. It seems to 
me, from the drift of the remarks already made, 
that it is resolving itself into a question of price. 
In order to avoid any complications to lengthen 
the dicker, are you gentlemen willing to let the 
sentiment of the majority of the three hundred 
and seventy-five shares be accepted as final in 
determining the proper price?” 

“I will be willing for one,” said Mr. Edgerton, 
followed by a general murmur of “That seems 
fair.” 

“Any dissenting voices?” inquired Burt. No 
one responded. 

“Suppose therefore that you each put down on 
paper, not signing any name, the number of 
shares you hold, and the price at which you 
would sell, or the price at which you would buy, 
or the price at which you would sell or buy, the 
propositions to buy being based on the under- 
standing that a sufficient number are willing to 
buy, to take all the holding that I control. 
This will put us on dickering ground.” 

This was done, and on counting up the result, 


“Four Months After Date” 119 

it was found that every one had offered a selling 
and not a buying price, and the following prices 
were named : 


20 shares, 200 

50 “ 150 

75 “ 140 

100 “ 130 

130 “ 127 


“Now,” said Burt, as the figures were an- 
nounced, “in accordance with the understand- 
ing, the majority of you have voted a price be- 
tween 127 and 130, and all have voted to sell. 
Here is my price,” and he turned up the paper 
on which he had written “120 cash.” “I will not 
enter into a long discussion of values, but will 
accept the offer of the majority, and go it one 
better; I will pay you all 130 cash for the stock, 
and make the payment early to-morrow. Sup- 
pose you all sign this memo, agreeing to the 
transaction, so that no complication can arise; 
you can then all call in here to-morrow morning, 
any time after ten-thirty, bring in your certifi- 
cates, and receive your checks.” 

When this was done, Burt said : “If any of you 
wish to invest the money for six months at the 
regular six per cent, the Hamilton Company will 
take the money, and give its notes. This is 
merely in case you do not wish to leave the 
money lying idle for the period.” 

To this suggestion holders of stock to the 


120 ‘‘Four Months After Date” 


amount of one hundred and fifty shares re- 
sponded, saying they would be glad to do it. 
Burt then procured the proper memoranda and 
the meeting broke up. 

The concluding transactions were made the 
following morning and completed by twelve 
o’clock ; the board of directors was then reorgan- 
ized, also the official board, and at one-thirty 
P. M. Burt directed the bookkeeper of the East- 
ern Mfg. Co. to make out the notes of the com- 
pany as follows : 

To W. S. Burt & Co., 4 mos. $30,000 

“ W. S. Burt, 3 mos. 6,000 

“ Hamilton Mfg. Co., 3 mos. 12,000 

These notes were placed without delay on dis- 
count, the $30,000 note to the credit of W. S. 
Burt & Co., and the $12,000 note to the credit 
of the Hamilton Mfg. Co., both at Cromwell’s 
bank. Burt then took the $6,000 note of the 
Eastern Co., and the $8,000 note of the Hamil- 
ton Co., which he had not yet used, and handed 
them in to Emerson, who passed them up to his 
credit, without remark, except a pleasant inquiry 
as to how things were going and the hope that 
Burt would make enough to buy a farm. 

“It’s singular,” said Burt to himself, on his 
way back to his office, “about these discount 
matters. I have been trifling with comparatively 
small figures all my life, worrying over six hun- 
dred or twelve hundred or a couple of thousand ; 


‘‘Four Months After Date” 121 


but it seems perfectly simple to manipulate 
round numbers where all parties are understood 
to be square and of fair credit. This is really too 
easy to be amusing — give me a few hair-breadth 
escapes for educating a man.” 

Burt got back to his office at two-thirty, and 
told Sam to have Driscoll make the note of the 
Hamilton Co. for $15,000, four months, in favor 
of the Eastern Mfg. Co., and he then had the 
bookkeeper of the Eastern Mfg. Co. take the 
note to their bank (Benson’s) for discount, which 
was done successfully by three o’clock. 

Mr. Burt and Mr. Ellis then sat down in 
Burt’s private office, and took an account of 
stock. 

“Sammy,” said Burt, “what do you think of 
it?” 

“This thing is going almost too fast for 
thought, ain’t it?” said Sam. “How are you go- 
ing to pull down all this paper when it matures? 
Four months comes around pretty quick.” 

“Never you mind, Sammy; if you want to 
pull out I’ll pay your money back right now, but 
don’t do any croaking. Pull them down! I 
shan’t have to pull them down ever unless I 
want to; in fact, the only fun I can see in this 
thing anyway, is in getting these balloons all sail- 
ing and keeping them up ; but they’ll come 
down, Sammy, I think, my boy, and the fun will 
all be over. Now, Mr. Ellis, let’s see where we 
are at. 


122 “Four Months After Date" 


“We had $34,000 in the Hamilton account at 
Cromwell’s and the discount of the $12,000 
Eastern Co. note gives us $46,000, with a proper 
allowance for the discount charges on the $12,- 
000. We had $109,500 in the W. S. Burt & Co. 
account this morning, and we transferred $30,- 
000 of that to my individual account at Crom- 
well’s ; this left $79,500 in the W. S. Burt & Co. 
account, to which we added the $30,000 Eastern 
Co. note, making the balance of that account 
once more $109,500, with the aforesaid proper 
allowance for discount. Discount, my dear boy, 
is one of the mysteries of this present age, and 
discount charges, however insignificant they 
may appear, are the purple and fine linen we 
read about in the Bible ; they are the continual 
dropping that wears the stone, and they must be 
taken into account. My account at Cromwell’s 
was about $5,800 — to this we credited the $30,- 
000 from W. S. Burt & Co. and drew out $28,- 
250 to pay those interesting gentlemen who have 
just sold their stock in the Eastern Manufactur- 
ing Co., 225 shares at 130. This brings my 
Cromwell account up to a little over $7,000. My 
account at Uncle Peter’s was originally some- 
thing like $2,000, to this I added the $7,500 dis- 
count of those three $2,500 notes a couple of 
days ago, and the $8,000 and $6,000 notes to- 
day, making $23,500 to my credit with good old 
Peter with due deductions for the discount rate 
off. 


“Four Months After Date” 123 

“Our available supply of cash now, Samuel, is, 
I make it, 


Hamilton Co. account $ 46,000 

W. S. Burt & Co. account 109,500 

W. S. Burt account, Fidelity 23,500 

W. S. Burt “ Cromwell 7,000 

“ Benson 7,000 

“ Fowler 8,000 


Total $201,000 


“Oh, yes, and there’s the Eastern Co.’s ac- 
count — how much did they have in the bank this 
morning?” 

“Six thousand,” announced Ellis. 

“Well, that $15,000 note added to that gives 
us $21,000 in the Eastern account with old Ben- 
son, or a grand total of $222,000 cash in sight. 
Does this agree with your figures, Samuel?” 

“Yes, allowing something for discount.” 

“Of course. Well, we are up against our trade 
with the Empire Company to-morrow, and I 
wonder how that’s coming out.” 

“I guess you will have no trouble with them,” 
responded Sam. “Your figures are liberal for 
all these people, and they will probably fall right 
in.” 

“Oh, by the way, Sam, call up Mr. — what’s 
his name? — the attorney for Miss — what’s 
her name? Oh, I forgot you don’t know about 
this. I’ll give you the name on paper, and you 
see if lie’s in his office. It’s Henry Southward 


124 “Four Months After Date” 


of Southward, Dennison & Keep; they have a 
telephone; ask Mr. Southward if he can call 
here to-night, or if I can see him at his office.” 

In a few minutes Sam returned saying that 
Mr. Southward was just leaving his office and 
would call in on his way up Broadway in about 
fifteen minutes. 

“All right, Sam; have him shown right in, 
and I’ll see what he thinks about the Empire 
stock deal.” 



How are yon fixed. ? 9 ’ 


{See page 57.) 





“Four Months After Date” 127 


CHAPTER XI. 

“You must pardon me, Mr. Southward,” said 
Burt, when that gentleman arrived, “for troub- 
ling you, but I am going to make a proposition 
to the stockholders of the Empire Mfg. Co. to- 
morrow, and it just occurred to me that this 
three hundred and seventy-five shares of Miss 
Clarkson’s ought to be represented by some one 
other than myself.” 

“What will be the nature of your proposition?” 

“I wish to buy the stock myself.” 

“Ah, hum ” 

“With the proposition coming from some 
other quarter I would be competent to use my 
powers as trustee, and legally I suppose I could 
now ; but there are aspects of the case on which 
I wish to have your judgment, as attorney for 
Miss Clarkson.” 

“State them,” said Mr. Southward. 

“Why, you see, the three-eighths of the com- 
pany which Miss Clarkson holds, combined with 
mine, makes five-eighths, or the control of the 
company, and the fact that the offer of purchase 
on my part will go to the minority holders as 
from the majority interest may have an effect on 
the price they are willing to accept. This does 


128 “Four Months After Date” 


not necessarily follow in making a price for Miss 
Clarkson’s shares. The distinction may be fine, 
but I don’t wish to have any criticism of my 
trusteeship of the property of an orphan girl, and 
want your help as representing her.” 

“Did you ever see Miss Clarkson, Mr. Burt?” 

“No, curiously enough, I never have. Why 
do you ask?” 

“I was under the impression that you had not, 
and your term ‘orphan girl’ struck me as — well — 
appropriate enough, of course, but hardly the 
expression you would use if you knew her ; how- 
ever, that’s aside from the question. What’s 
your object in buying all the stock, if I may 
ask?” 

“To be frank with you, I am engaging in some 
financial operations, and wish to use the credit 
of the company, along with some other credits 
I have acquired, to help float an enterprise I 
have in hand. This enterprise is fraught with 
so much hazard that I propose to take all the 
chances myself, and so I wish to buy all the stock 
not held by me.” 

“The reason sounds plausible, but will hardly 
stand analyzing, for the cost of three-quarters of 
the company’s stock must be greater than the 
credit you could acquire through the company.” 

“I did not mean to say that it was for the 
credit alone I want the company, though with- 
out it my plans will be jeopardized; but I need 
the full right to use the stock in any way I see 


“Four Months After Date*' 129 

fit, to carry on the operations I have in mind, 
and I don’t want to take anybody into my con- 
fidence, or make constant explanation to a board 
of directors.” 

‘‘It seems to me, Mr. Burt, that you are em- 
powered under the trusteeship to handle this 
stock in any way you see fit. Isn’t that sufficient 
for your purpose?” 

“Why, you know, Mr. Southward, if I should 
plunge with this thing, use 
funds of the company for my 
personal ends, and so on, and 
disaster followed, I could be 
held to account for results, and 
I wish to avoid it, as well as the 
charge of making a snap price 
on Miss Clarkson’s shares.” 

“What are your plans for 
operation?” 

“Really, I can’t possibly tell 
you that.” 

“Well, I don’t see how I can help you, and I 
would advise you to consult the young lady her- 
self. I assure you she is thoroughly capable of 
acting for herself. She’ll be of age in a few 
months. I am the trustee of all the property, ex- 
cept the shares of the Empire Co., and I invest 
the income, except such as Miss Clarkson de- 
mands, for no regular guardian, in the strict 
sense, has been appointed. You see the orphan 
girl, my dear sir, and I’ll join in anything she 



130 “Four Months After Date” 


agrees to. Do you know her address? Well, 
here it is, and, now, is there anything else I can 
do for you? No? Well, good evening; you’ll 
find Miss Clarkson very entertaining.” 

Burt stared at the carpet for some time, and 
then began to pace the floor. “Queer thing this. 
I wonder if I am going to have trouble with this 
girl. I don’t like this complication.” Ellis was 
then called. “Sam,” said Burt, “will you call on 
a young lady to-night and ask her to come and 
see me to-morrow at this office?” 

“Certainly, Mr. Burt ; strictly business, I sup- 
pose?” 

“Your supposition, Sam, does you credit. Yes, 
it’s business, but it’s odd. However, you call at 
this address to-night and see this young woman. 
Be sure you see her personally, and ask her if 
Mr. Burt may have the pleasure of a call from 
her to-morrow at eleven sharp, or if she would 
prefer it, Mr. Burt will call at her home instead.” 

“And the name?” inquired Sam. 

“Miss Isabel Clarkson.” 

“All right,” said Sam, “I’ll call at about half- 
past seven, so that I will be most likely to catch 
her home.” 

“Yes, do,” said Burt, “and see her yourself.” 

At precisely eleven o’clock on the following 
day the card of Miss Isabel Clarkson was 
brought in to Burt, immediately followed by the 
young lady herself. 

Burt had his desk covered with papers, and 


“Four Months After Date” 131 


had turned toward the door when she came in. 
He was expecting — well, he didn’t know, for 
Sam had said nothing except that the lady would 
be down as requested, and when he turned and 
saw a perfectly stunning person advancing to- 
ward him with outstretched hand, he half rose, 
then rose fully, but somewhat awkwardly, and 
stood irresolute. 

“Mr. Burt?” said the stunning person inquir- 
ingly. 

“Ye-es,” said Burt. “Are you really Miss 
Clarkson, Miss Isabel Clarkson?” 

“I am.” 

“Pray be seated at once, and let me be permit- 
ted to reconcile myself to the idea of being trus- 
tee for the most magnificent woman of my ac- 
quaintance.” 

“Really, Mr. Burt!” and Miss Clarkson drew 
up, while her lip curled a trifle. 

“Don’t be offended, Miss Clarkson, the words 
were without premeditation, and were absolutely 
the expression of my thought. Surely one can 
forgive that which is spontaneous and truthful, 
even if it is at the same time complimentary.” 

“You must admit that it was a little direct, Mr. 
Burt, and I was hardly prepared for it; but I am 
also somewhat surprised to find my trustee so 
young a man as yourself.” 

“I shall never be able to talk business with 
you, Miss Clarkson. You must know that it is a 
shock to me to discover in the daughter of my 


132 “Four Months After Date” 

old friend quite the most perfect specimen of 
womanhood I have ever seen/’ 

“Doesn’t it occur to you that ‘specimen’ is a 
somewhat singular term? Don’t you think ‘type’ 
would be better?” suggested Miss Clarkson, 
solemnly. 

“Infinitely better; but still I don’t know how 
I am to talk business with you. It seems so 
preposterous.” 

“I still am human, Mr. Burt, and at this end of 
the century business is so associated with every 
breath that I have found it necessary to culti- 
vate it. I really talk business very well, but I 
will beg you to refrain from telling me how 
beautiful I am. It disconcerts me, and then you 
know, although you have been my trustee ever 
since poor papa died, I positively don’t know 
you at all, and it isn’t exactly proper.” 

“I am rebuked. I will not offend further, and 
I am glad that we have not plunged instantly 
into business, for I just couldn’t have done it.” 

“Very well, Mr. Burt, as my father’s friend I 
trust you, and it seems I have to trust you, 
whether I wish to or not, under the terms of the 
trusteeship. I presume you wish to say some- 
thing about the stock of the Empire State Mfg. 
Co., which has been paying eight per cent, divi- 
dends?” 

“Yes, Miss Clarkson, I wish to buy it.” 

“Well, why don’t you sell it to yourself? You 
have the power !” 


“Four Months After Date” 133 

“Why, it has occurred to me that the exercise 
of my trusteeship in such a way would be open 
to criticism.” 

“You are sensitive, are you not?” 

Burt noticed the irony. 

“Well, there are certain things even I do not 
do. I have been guilty of most of the crimes, 
but there are some sins I shrink from yet. I 
am, I find, only partially educated.” 

“What is the price you propose to sell this 
stock to yourself for?” 

“Do you think that is a quite correct way to 
put it? If I were going to sell this stock to 
myself, as you call it, I would hardly have had 
this delightful interview with you.” 

“I don’t see that that follows. Have you 
talked with Mr. Southward?” 

“Yes, and it is by his suggestion that I asked 
you to call. Mr. Southward said you would de- 
cide the matter, and he, as your general trustee, 
would concur in your judgment.” 

“Indeed! So kind of him,” and Miss Clark- 
son smiled. 

“I shall make an offer at two o’clock this af- 
ternoon for all the stock of the company which 
I do not now hold, and I wish to have a satisfac- 
tory arrangement with you before I see the 
others.” 

Miss Clarkson settled back in her chair, /and 
calmly inquired: “Just what do you mean by 
satisfactory arrangement?” 


134 “Four Months After Date” 


“The definition of ‘satisfactory arrangement’ 
in this case brings me back to the original stum- 
bling-block. In a general way it means price, 
but it also means that you should understand 
that the price is fair. I assure you, Miss Clark- 
son, I have never undertaken a more complica- 
ted project than the purchase of this stock from 
you.” 

“Why need you purchase it?” 

“It is necessary to my plans.” 

“I don’t want to sell it; my father’s judgment 
in business matters has been shown in the profit- 
able investments he made, and I have never per- 
mitted Mr. Southward to change one of them, 
unless forced to, since father died.” 

“The position is a peculiar one, Miss Clark- 
son,” said Burt. “I did not seek the trusteeship 
of this stock, yet having accepted the responsi- 
bility, I cannot lay it down. Still, I have formed 
plans which make the possession of your shares 
very important, and it seems a little too bad to 
have them spoiled by sentiment.” 

Miss Clarkson smiled again, and then bending 
forward slightly in her chair, she leaned a little 
on one arm and said : “Mr. Burt, I know you 
think me mercenary and grasping, and I am 
beginning to wonder if I am not; nevertheless, 
the only sentiment of which I am conscious 
about business matters is the desire for occupa- 
tion of mind. I have, as you may know, no 
relatives whatever, except an aunt who lives with 


“Four Months After Date” 135 

me, and I am interesting myself in business af- 
fairs, rather than in social gayeties alone, to give 
some zest to life, and I find I like it. I do not 
wish to thwart your plans at all, but would rather 
join with you in them.” 

Burt felt completely nonplussed. Obviously, 
the idea of permitting this girl to take the 
chances he proposed to take, could not be en- 
tertained seriously for a moment; still he was 
puzzled as to the course he could pursue, and 
sat in silence. 

“Don’t you want me to do that?” asked Miss 
Clarkson. 

“I don’t see how I can permit you,” he replied. 
“I am going to plunge a good deal with this 
thing, and the outcome is extremely problema- 
tical.” 

“But why do you want to plunge, as you call 
it? What do you mean by ‘plunge?’ ” 

“I am at the point where plunging is a neces- 
sity. My whole business life has been an ac- 
cumulation of personal debt, and I have de- 
termined to make an effort to clear up the at- 
mosphere.” 

Miss Clarkson looked interested at once. “You 
cannot imagine how you surprise me, Mr. Burt,” 
she said. 

“If the mere statement surprises you, the bare 
facts would surprise you more.” 

“Why, I have always believed you a very 
wealthy man, for I know poor papa thought so.” 


136 “Four Months After Date” 


“Your father, Miss Clarkson, was a good 
friend, but he never thought me wealthy, I am 
sure. He only thought me honest. I have never 
made any secret of my perplexing condition, but 
having always managed to meet my obligations, 
I suppose a good many people do not take my 
statements as literal truth.” 

“You cannot imagine how you interest me, 
Mr. Burt. It must be perfectly delightful to 
engineer and — and — manipulate — and all that. I 
cannot think of anything more entertaining.” 

“ ‘Entertaining’ perhaps describes it,” said 
Burt, “but some way I never thought of the mat- 
ter in that light. It has been an offering up of 
soul and body to me.” 

“Really, you must permit me to say that I 
think you stand it very well,” responded this re- 
markable girl. 

“Oh, I am cheerful ; I have to be. If I were to 
get glum, I should have thrown up the sponge 
long ago. Yes, I am cheerful, and I assure you 
I am pleased to find myself trustee for such a 
heroic woman as yourself.” 

“Heroic? I don’t quite understand.” 

“Your determination to be a business woman 
is a heroism, especially since, if you will permit 
me to say so, you are fashioned and circum- 
stanced for great social success.” 

“But why not success in both directions?” 

“You are ambitious.” 

“I perhaps am, yet I never thought of myself 


“Four Months After Date” 137 

as an ambitious woman. I am, I think, some- 
thing of an enthusiast, and I take to business for 
employment. I want to enjoy life, and just a 
round of social pleasure seems to me a very 
empty existence. I am talking to you, I find, 
quite freely. It is needless for me to say that I 
regard your scrupulous attitude toward your 
trusteeship of my shares as fully sustaining my 
father’s judgment.” 

Burt bowed. 

“Shall I find it impossible to buy your stock, 
Miss Clarkson, with your full consent?” 

“Why not let me take a business chance with 
you? I really would like to do it. All my af- 
fairs are so absurdly sound and steady that they 
tire me a little already. I am willing to plunge — 
isn’t that what you called it? I think it would 
be lots of fun.” 

“Oh, but I couldn’t, you know. It would be 
much better for you to sell out to me at a good 
price, and let me take all the chances.” 

An idea seemed to strike Miss Clarkson, and 
she leaned forward again, inquiring : “Don’t you 
expect to make a lot of money out of it?” 

“I certainly do hope to,” said Burt. 

“Take me into partnership !” and Miss Clark- 
son’s face showed eagerness. At this Burt 
laughed heartily. 

“Pardon me, I didn’t mean to, but the idea is 
so funny, and it’s so wholly impracticable.” 

“Why impracticable?” 


i 38 “Four Months After Date” 

“Why, it would involve your investing a lot 
more money, and I haven’t the faintest idea 
how much you can afford to lose ; besides, I 
couldn’t look my neighbors in the face if you 
did lose, and the chances are about even.” 

Miss Clarkson deliberated. 

“How much money would it take?” she finally 
inquired. 

“You mustn’t think of it,” replied Burt. “It 
would run into a hundred thousand or more, and 
besides I couldn’t do it. I have a partner al- 
ready.” 

“Let me buy him out/’ 

“Why are you so anxious to do this? It is 
certainly not good business to go into a thing 
blind like that, and if you propose to become a 
business woman, you must be conservative.” 

“Mr. Burt, I am a business woman already,” 
responded Miss Clarkson with dignity, “and 
judgment cannot be exercised in business by 
hard and fast rules. I have my own idea of judg- 
ment, and if you are so unwilling to let me join 
your plans and invest some money in them, I 
won’t consent to sell my stock.” With this de- 
livery Miss Clarkson rose. “If you want to 
buy, it is an excellent reason for me not to want 
to sell, and if you won’t take me for a partner, 
it is probable that you would rather some one 
other than I made the money.” 

Miss Clarkson moved toward the door, 

Burt rose. 


“Four Months After Date’* 139 

“This interview is one of the most astonish- 
ing experiences I ever had, Miss Clarkson, and 
I dislike you to go in this way. I feel deeply 
complimented at your faith in my plans, without 
knowing at all what they are ; but as for taking 
advantage of that faith, I cannot.” 

“In a few months I shall be absolute mistress 
of my own affairs, Mr. Burt. I am now, except 
in name, and I resent the idea of my being un- 
able to manage them. Please don’t forget that 
I have offered to be your partner. Will you 
kindly open the door?” 

“Shall I have an opportunity of presenting this 
matter again, Miss Clarkson?” 

“I will call any time at your request, and I 
should be glad if you would bring Mrs. Burt to 
call on me at any time. Thursday is my day. 
Good morning,” and the stately Miss Clarkson 
passed out of the office with a slight twinkle in 
her eye. 

Burt watched her disapear, and then began to 
pace the floor, as was his wont when in deep 
thought, talking all the while to himself. 

“Well, this is a hurdle indeed. The idea of 
that splendid girl calmly balking our plans be- 
cause she won’t be frozen out. She has nerve, 
sure enough ! My, though, she’s gritty ! I can 
plainly see that she can’t be moved. She’d never 
murmur if I were to exercise my authority, but 
calmly accepts my declining to act under that 
authority, and flaunts her independence in my 


140 ‘‘Four Months After Date’* 


face. Business woman, indeed! She’s a won- 
der. Partner! Oh, oh ! Well, this is the richest 
experience I ever ran across. If I can’t get all 
the stock of the Empire Co., I can’t use the 
company’s notes and credit, and if Drew makes a 
trade to sell out the whole shootin’ gallery to 
Broadwater, as he is entirely likely to do, we 
can’t deliver the goods unless we whack up her 
price. She must have money to tear up, and I 
vow she’d have spirit enough to tear it up, if she 
thought there would be any fun in it; but who 
would have dreamed that the little orphan girl 
would turn out such a wonderfully regal creat- 
ure? ‘Little orphan girl,’ indeed! A regular 
phenomenon, and Sam — why didn’t that scamp 
warn me? Sam!” he called through the door, 
“come in here, will you? I want to speak with 
you. Why didn’t you tell me that Miss Clark- 
son was such a stunner? Why did you spring 
her on me like a cold deck, and take all the 
wind out of me like this?” 

“Why, didn’t you know her?” asked Sam in- 
nocently. 

“Know her? I guess not! Never saw her in 
the world until just now, didn’t you know that?” 

“Why, no,” said Sam, “I never even heard of 
her until you gave me her name last night.” 

“What did she say when you gave her my 
message?” 

“Said, ‘Rather singular ; tell Mr. Burt I’ll call 
as he requests,’ and I bowed and left.” 


“Four Months After Date’* 14 1 

“Well, Sam, that girl will ruin us.” 

“Ruin us, how?” 

“Why, she has a block of stock in the Empire 
Co. and won't sell !” 

“Won’t she sell at any price?” 

“I haven’t mentioned any price, but it would 
be useless. I can pay only a fair price, and the 
more I offered the more she’d want. No, sir, 
it’s ugly. Why, she wants to join the proces- 
sion, and was really incensed that I wouldn’t let 
her put a hundred thousand or so in the deal, 
and she don’t know a thing about it. The 
amount of it is, she won’t be forced. She’ll do 
as she pleases, and she won’t do anything else. 
I shall never offer to buy her stock again. It 
would be useless. She knows her gait, you bet. 
She’s bound to be on the band wagon.” 

“Well, she’d make a band wagon look pretty 
attractive,” observed Sam. 

“I should say so. Isn’t she a beauty? She 
took my breath away when she came in. I’m her 
trustee, you know.” 

“Trustee ! No, I didn’t know.” 

“Yes, trustee in the matter of handling this 
same block of stock. I vote it and handle it ac- 
cording to my judgment, but I really can’t sell 
it to myself, you know.” 

“This is peculiar, indeed,” said Sam, “and 
you’d never seen her?” 

“Never in the world. Southward is her at- 
torney. I pay her dividends over to him. He 


142 “Four Months After Date” 


will do anything she says, and she knows her 
mind, if any person does. What are we going to 
do, Sam?” 

“You meet the other stockholders of the Em- 
pire Co. this afternoon?” 

“Yes, two o’clock.” 

“You’ll have to buy them out just the same, 
and then you’ll have only this young woman to 
deal with, and some way will be found.” 

“I am very skeptical, Samuel ; I don’t like the 
looks of it.” 

“Why don’t you send for Mr. Drew?” 

“Drew has his hands full in Pittsburg. I ex- 
pect he’ll be sending for money for out there in 
a day or two, and I want to have this Empire 
business all arranged.” 

“Well, Mr. Burt, you must first get the stock 
of the others. What are you going to pay for 
it?” 

“Offer 100 and pay no, that’s a fair price.” 

“Yes, that’s fair, from what I know of the 
company, I wish you quick success in closing 
with them.” 

Shortly after two o’clock, Burt appeared at the 
office of the Empire Co., and found the four 
stockholders representing three hundred and 
seventy-five shares present, awaiting him. After 
greeting them all around, he was just making 
his opening speech to them, when the door 
opened and in walked Air. Southward. 


“Four Months After Date” 143 


CHAPTER XII. 

“How do you do, Mr. Southward?” said Burt, 
rising. “Let me introduce you to the gentle- 
men. Mr. Southward, gentlemen, is attorney for 
the owner of three hundred and seventy-five 
shares of this company’s stock, on which I hold 
the proxy. Sit down, Mr. Southward. I was 
just beginning to say to these gentlemen that I 
had concluded to buy them all out, if they were 
willing to sell for a fair price. I am glad you 
came in, as you may assist in arriving at a proper 
figure. I suppose,” Burt continued, “you all real- 
ize that the Empire Co. is a good thing, though 
not a bonanza, and I would like you to know that 
I intend to offer you a perfectly fair and just cash 
price. Are you willing to talk business?” 

“This is rather abrupt, Mr. Burt,” said one of 
the men. “I should want to think it over. I 
have had no intention of selling my Empire 
stock. Might I inquire your reason for being 
willing to buy it?” 

Burt then stated his reasons, on lines similar 
to the ones given in his previous trades with the 
other companies, and asked if they would like to 
discuss it among themselves. He then withdrew. 


144 “Four Months After Date” 


asking Mr. Southward to accompany him. Out- 
side in the outer office, he and Mr. Southward 
discussed the weather, and the political outlook 
— everything, in fact, but Empire Co. stock, and 
in perhaps twenty minutes they were notified 
that the gentlemen inside were ready to talk to 
them. 

“We are somewhat puzzled,” said the man 
who had first replied to Burt, “and are inclined 
to go a little slow. It seems reasonable to us 
that, if you want this stock, you want it to make 
money with, and if there is any money to be 
made, it would be proper for us to make it.” 

“I have stated the case to you quite frankly, 
gentlemen. I now direct the policy of the com- 
pany, and I have done it on safe lines hitherto ; 
but I intend to push it pretty hard, and my meth- 
ods would be open to conservative criticism. I 
therefore propose to do the fair thing by buying 
you all out. It must be a question of price with 
you. I know that, by putting proper machinery 
at work, it would be possible to depreciate the 
value of the stock in your eyes ; but I prefer the 
open, and I think the decent way, of discussing 
the matter freely with you all. Has any figure 
been agreed upon by you?” 

“Yes, we are willing to take 130 cash,” said 
the previous speaker. 

“Let’s see,” said Burt, “the shares which you 
hold were originally bought for about 80. Some 
of it has changed hands, and I don’t know, of 


“Four Months After Date” 145 


course, what it cost the present holders; but it 
seems to me that par would be much fairer. 
What do you think, Mr. Southward?” 

“I should think,” said that gentleman, “that 
par for an industrial in a small company, earning 
only eight per cent, and open to heavy competi- 
tion, would be extremely liberal.” 

“Will you make a concession, gentlemen?” 

“What is your best offer, Mr. Burt? None of 
us knew that such a suggestion would be made 
to us, but we are all willing to be fair, and being 
minor holders we don’t wish to put ourselves at 
odds with the majority.” 

“With the full belief that par is a proper price, 
I had determined to go as high as no for the 
stock,” replied Burt. 

“Our lowest price would be 120; isn’t that so, 
gentlemen?” 

They all nodded assent. 

Burt shook his head and began to look puz- 
zled. A moment’s silence followed, when to his 
surprise Mr. Southward said quietly, “I will buy 
your stock for my client at your offer, gentle- 
men^i 20 .” 

A more astonished person than Burt at this 
announcement could hardly be conceived, still 
he merely held his breath a moment, and then 
said: “You are paying too much, Southward; 
but if your client wants it at the price, it is 
yours.” 

“Just sign this memonandum, please, gentle- 


146 “Four Months After Date” 


men, and bring your certificates to my office in 
the morning for the money,” said Southward. 

While this was going on, Burt strolled up and 
down considering, but after Southward with- 
drew the others asked him if Southward could 
carry out the purchase, and Burt assured them 
that there was no doubt of it. 

“How is this, Mr. Burt? Is Mr. Southward 
buying for you?” 

“No, he’s buying for an exceedingly stubborn 
woman ; but what she wants of the stock I can- 
not tell.” 

Burt then went out of the office, and walked 
around to his own. As he went in the door, a 
boy was just starting out with a telegram for 
him. It was from Drew, and as he saw it 
was a long one, he went into his private of- 
fice before reading it. The telegram was as 
follows: 

Have beaten the big man out mail me drafts on 
Pittsburgh for one hundred and twenty-five thousand 
paid too much but couldn’t help it. How are you getting 
on answer. Drew. 

Burt replied to this as follows : 

Too late for drafts to-day will mail to-morrow finances 
ok bought Hamilton and Eastern but struck peculiar 
snag on Empire plan to return quickly as possible am 
writing to-night. Burt. 

“Sam,” said Burt a few minutes later, “the girl 
has done us up.” 


“Four Months After Date” 147 

“I didn’t buy that stock. She bought it. 
Southward came in and snatched it right up from 
under my nostrils, paid 120 for it.” 

“Well, upon my word!” said Sam. Then they 
both laughed long and loud. 

“They’ve pulled Drew’s leg, too, out there in 
Pittsburg, made him pay 125 for stock that has 
never paid a dividend. If it were anybody but 
Drew I’d think it a big waste. My prices here 
were bad enough, but the Pittsburg price is 
pretty stiff. However, we are in for it, and the 
girl has the minority shares in the Empire, and 
will have the majority vote against me, if we 
don’t bring her to reason before she comes of 
age.” 

“Think of all those four-months’ notes, Mr. 
Burt.” 

“Look here, Sam, do you want to pull out? 
Why don’t you go and sell to Sister Clarkson? 
She seems to want to buy everything in sight.” 

“No, I’m satisfied to take the chances, I 
guess. Mr. Drew can help us manage this.” 

“Now,” said Burt, “let’s plan out those drafts 
for Drew, and then I’ll write him a letter with 
my fist; I won’t dictate it, I guess. Have the 
balances changed any to speak of in the Hamil- 
ton and Eastern accounts?” 

“The Hamilton is a little ahead, on account of 
some collections that came to-day, but I don’t 
know about the Eastern account. Shall I call 
up?” 


148 “Four Months After Date” 


“Yes, I wish you would.” 

In a few minutes Ellis reported the Eastern ac- 
count increased by about a thousand. 

“Well,” said Burt, “according to our figures 
yesterday, we had altogether $222,000, less dis- 
count, which is probably made up by to-day’s 
deposits. Here is the slip, make a memonan- 
dum of these things. The balance in the W. S. 
Burt & Co.’s account is $109,500. Now draw 
checks as follows in favor of W. S. Burt & Co. : 
Hamilton Co., $30,000; Eastern Co., $10,000; 
W. S. Burt on Fidelity Bank, $15,000. 

“This will make $55,000 to deposit to W. S. 
Burt & Co. account, running that account up to 
$164,000. Then draw the W. S. Burt & Co. 
check to order of ‘ourselves’ for $125,000, and 
we’ll buy five $25,000 drafts on Pittsburg to 
send to Drew. This will leave us with about 
$96,000 shot in the locker and nothing to buy. 
I make it that our balances will then stand about 


as follows : 

Hamilton Co $16,000 

W. S. Burt & Co 39,000 

Eastern Co 11,000 

W. S. Burt, Fidelity 8,500 

“ Cromwell 7,000 

Benson 7,000 

Fowler 8,000 


Total $96,500 


Is that correct, Sam?” 


“Four Months After Date” 


149 


“Substantially correct.” 

“Well, you get the papers all ready for signa- 
ture in the morning, and we’ll attend to the de- 
tails then. Now I’ll write to Dune.” 

During the two succeeding days nothing hap- 
pened of moment. Some few changes were 
made by Burt in the management of the Eastern 
Mfg. Co., and the regular business of this com- 
pany and the Hamilton Co. received his atten- 
tion. 

Drew wrote twice briefly about the Pittsburg 
business, but said he would defer details until he 
came east, and Burt at intervals paced his office 
and meditated on the situation. 

Not a word of any kind reached him from 
Miss Clarkson or Mr. Southward, and the affairs 
of the Empire Mfg. Co. went on uninterrupted. 
It was the lull in the storm. Burt and Drew 
were determined men, and they were not dis- 
posed to accept checkmate calmly, neither could 
they permit themselves to be outdone by a girl ! 
But Burt knew that when he told the story in full 
to Drew, their united ingenuity would have to 
be exercised to solve the ridiculous problem 
which had presented itself. 

In a few months Miss Clarkson would be her 
own mistress, and would vote her own shares, 
which now constituted a part of his (Burt’s) con- 
trol of the Empire Co., and she would then be in 
a position to dictate terms in any trade that 


150 “Four Months After Date” 

might be made; and even if it were possible to 
bring the final coup to a climax, by a successful 
negotiation with the Broadwater Co., at a date 
prior to Miss Clarkson’s majority, and prior 
also to the maturity of the notes for the large 
amounts which had been negotiated, Miss Clark- 
son would be entirely capable of making her own 
terms, and any contract to deliver up all the 
stock of the four minor companies to Broadwater 
would involve settling with the stately Miss 
Clarkson on her own terms, in order to deliver 
the goods, and he felt certain these terms would 
be pretty hard. 

“She can wait,” said Burt to himself, “but we 
can’t, and when we have to go to her, she will de- 
cline to negotiate on any reasonable ground ; 
and she will do this just for the fun of it, too, 
without any design to injure any one, but purely 
to demonstrate her business ability, and to show 
that we should have let her in on the ground 
floor.” 

But Burt had great confidence in Drew, and 
believed he would have some practical plan when 
he came home, which would be in a day or two, 
so he had to be as patient as he could, and wait 
and think. Drew had secured all the stock in the 
Allegheny Co., and had had Burt elected presi- 
dent, with Ellis treasurer, and the present man- 
ager of the company secretary. In a day or two 
everything would be in shape for Drew to leave 
and come home. 


“Four Months After Date” 15 i 


While Burt was thinking over these matters, 
on the afternoon of the third day after the pur- 
chase of the Empire stock by Miss Clarkson, the 
name of his chief personal creditor, Mr. Hamil- 
ton, was brought to him by Peter, the boy. Burt 
started. “Hamilton ! What does he want, I won- 
der? I paid him a thousand last week, and he 
seemed affable. Still he never calls on me except 
for money, but, of course, he’s never in any big 
rush for it.” Thoughts like this ran through 
Burt’s mind in the second or two before Hamil- 
ton appeared. 

“How do you do, Mr. Burt?” said Hamilton. 

“Just breathing, Mr. Hamilton ; you don’t of- 
ten honor me with a call ; sit down. What can 
I do for you?” 

“What a pleasant office this is, Burt ! I wish 
mine was as good.” 

“If you were as poor as I am, you’d have to 
have a good office ; it’s only the rich that can af- 
ford mean quarters, the men who have creditors 
must present the front of opulence, or their 
hands will be called.” 

“Unfortunately, I am not as rich as you seem 
to think. The fact is, I have called to see if you 
couldn’t square up with me. I have been sud- 
denly pressed from an unexpected quarter for 
a very substantial amount, and see no way to 
raise the money I need, so I have come to you.” 

“For a man who seldom jokes, you can per- 
petrate a good thing on occasion, Mr. Hamilton ; 


152 “Four Months After Date” 


but my heart is a little weak, and I wish you 
wouldn’t touch such a serious subject.” 

“Not the least bit of a joke, Mr. Burt. I am 
in solemn earnest, I assure you. I must have a 
settlement with you at once.” 

“Great heavens! Not a settlement? I can 
perhaps find a thousand or two at a pinch, but a 
settlement !” 

“I said settlement, Mr. Burt, and, much as I 
dislike it, I must have it.” 

“Why, have you any idea how much money 
that would take?” 

“Yes, I know very well. I have the figures 
right here.” 

“Don’t show them on any account,” said Burt, 
with uplifted hand. “I don’t want to see them. 
I couldn’t stand it just now.” 

“But I shall have to present them for your 
consideration, I’m afraid, whether you wish to 
see them or not. I am driven, and I must now 
be helped.” 

“Why, I don’t recognize you at all, Mr. Ham- 
ilton, in this character. You have always been 
so reasonable and kind. I can’t understand how 
you could bring yourself to descend on me like 
this and hold me up.” 

“It is quite true I have never pressed you, and 
I frequently have refrained from pressing you, 
even when I needed the money ; but now I must 
ask you to pay up. The fact that I have never 
urged you for money before is a very good rea- 


“Four Months After Date” 153 

son why you should now understand that I only 
do it because I feel compelled, besides I am in 
some doubt about the security, and even if I did 
not need the money I should feel uneasy.” 

“Now I am getting the truth,” thought Burt. 
Aloud he inquired, “What causes the doubts, 
Mr. Hamilton?” 

“The enormous discounts you are carrying on 
the Hamilton Company’s credit and indorse- 
ment.” 

“Well, but ” Burt stopped. “What do you 

know of it, Mr. Hamilton?” 

“Cromwell told me.” 

“And you said ” 

“You may be sure I said nothing to injure 
you, neither did I express surprise. Neverthe- 
less, I was perfectly astounded, and being badly 
pressed at the same time, I thought and am cer- 
tain that I must have a settlement. Why have 
you raised all this money so recently?” 

“I cannot very well explain, Mr. Hamilton, 
but I never expected you would sit in judgment 
on my management of this business after the 
years I have carried it on successfully.” 

“You have always been conservative hitherto, 
but now there seems to be a tendency to a new 
method, and I must be made safe at once.” 

“The operations in which I am engaged are 
perfectly legitimate, but I can hardly explain 
them fully, as I am associated with a man whose 
confidence I cannot betray.” 


154 “Four Months After Date” 

“Very well, Mr. Burt, you may keep your own 
counsel, but you must also settle with me and 
without delay. I am not willing to have my 
large interests subjected to such hazard.” 

Burt reflected. 

“Mr. Hamilton,” said he, “there is a certain 
amount of justice in your position, and perhaps 
I have counted too strongly on your confidence 
in my business judgment, in undertaking some 
enterprises which I am not in position to explain 
to you. Still, I hardly think you are justified in 
a peremptory demand of such an entirely unex- 
pected character. 

“It can hardly be more unexpected to you 
than the knowledge of the heavy liabilities you 
have recently contracted for the Hamilton Co. 
is to me. My amount is large, and it must be 
paid, or I shall take measures to realize. It is 
all long past due.” 

“Now that I have grown a little used to the 
idea of thinking of the size of the amount, I feel 
some curiosity to know how much it is. Sup- 
pose you tell me the sum I owe.” 

“The sum, including interest up to to-day, is 
$47,984.36,” declared Hamilton promptly, from 
a memorandum he drew from a convenient 
pocket. 

“Impossible ! How can that be, Mr. Hamil- 
ton, after all the thousands I have paid you?” 

“Interest, Mr. Burt.” 

“I am confident you are in error.” 


“Four Months After Date” 155 


‘‘I am equally confident that I am correct, for 
I have kept the account constantly made up, 
every six months, during all the time the debt 
has stood. See, here is the entire calculation/’ 

Burt glanced at the figures, but did not at- 
tempt to run them over. 

‘‘Why, the original amount was fifty thousand, 
and I know I have paid a lot.” 

“You may have this book for assistance in 
making your own calculation, if you wish it.” 

“It would be of small use at present, unless as 
a problem in arithmetic. I might get the figures 
framed to hang on my desk, but as for paying 
any such sums, it is out of the question.” 

“Very well, Mr. Burt, I have an opportunity 
to sell your contract and notes with the se- 
curity attached, and shall be compelled to do so 
at once.” 

“Oh, come now, I can’t think of your making 
such a suggestion seriously.” 

“I assure you I have no choice, and if I had, I 
do not think you would be entitled to any more 
from me than you have received. I wish you to 
understand that I am making a legal demand for 
settlement, and in default I shall accept the offer 
I have, to realize.” 

Hamilton made a motion as though to rise. 
Burt stopped him with a gesture. 

“Do you mind telling me, Mr. Hamilton, 
where you purpose selling this claim?” 

“The question is hardly a business one, Mr. 


156 “Four Months After Date” 

Burt. I will say, however, that a firm of lawyers, 
with whom I have some relations, are willing to 
take it off my hands for a client who has some 
money to invest.” 

“And does this firm of lawyers happen by any 
chance to be Southward, Dennison & Keep?” 

“The question is a little too direct, Mr. Burt. 
The offer was private.” 

“Oh, well, it doesn’t matter. Now, how long 
do you propose to give me to settle this little ac- 
count?” 

“Three days, Mr. Burt.” 

“So long? Very liberal, I am sure; and will 
you renew your offer to leave that little book 
with me? Thanks. Let me see, this is Friday. 
Shall you count Sunday as one of the three 
days?” 

“I make the notice as expiring on Monday 
at three o’clock, Mr. Burt.” 

“In that case, and in order to avoid any slight 
differences, suppose you complete your calcula- 
tion in this book, of interest for the intervening 
time, and make a memorandum of the total 
amount to be due at that time. It is all a matter 
of form, merely a peculiar sensation of curiosity 
I shall have to know for once how much I owe 
on any one claim.” 

“I already have the memorandum prepared 
and here it is. You see, the three days’ additional 
interest on the principal at the point where the 
last payment was made is $22.48. This, added 


“Four Months After Date” 157 

to $47,984.26 will make the correct total 
$48,006.64.” 

“Much obliged to you, I’m sure,” said Burt, 
“and now is there anything else I can do for 
you?” 

“Nothing,” said Hamilton gravely, as he rose. 

“Oh, let’s see; this is payable at your office, is 
it not?” inquired Burt. 

“Yes; I will wait for it until three o’clock on 
Monday. Good day, Mr. Burt.” 

Within ten minutes from the time Hamilton 
took his departure, Burt, in his office in New 
York, was talking with Drew in Pittsburg, over 
the long distance telephone. 


158 “Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER XIII. 

At nine-fifteen on Saturday morning, Burt 
entered his office, to find Drew occupying his 
chair, with his feet up on the window sill, reading 
a morning paper and smoking. 

“Hello, Dune! Pm mighty glad to see you 
exclaimed Burt, as he came in. “Did you bring 
Seymour ?” 

“I did, my lord; he’ll be in between now and 
ten o’clock. What’s up?” 

“The very old boy is to pay, Dune, but I think 
we can manage this latest thing. What kind of 
a balance has that new possession of ours in 
Pittsburg been carrying in their bank?” 

“First rate, I find. They were expecting to 
declare their first dividend next month, and had 
thirteen thousand in the bank the day I bought 
the stock.” 

“Oh, I feel better already, old man. Has this 
man Seymour been signing checks and notes?” 

“He and another fellow, but I think your man 
Ellis had better have a joint signature with Sey- 
mour for the present.” 

“All right, that suits me. I’ve kept Ellis’s 
name out of the signatures of all paper here in 


“Four Months After Date” 159 


New York except the Hamilton, and we can use 
him now on the Allegheny Co.’s notes. They 
must stand pretty well with their bank.” 

“They do, I guess, though I left the financial 
matters for you to handle, and merely said to the 
bank people that I was acting as your agent in 
purchasing the stock. So you will have been 
partially introduced, if you want to negotiate 
anything with them. But tell me all the news.” 

“Well, old Hamilton, to whom I owe about 
fifty thousand, came down on me yesterday and 
said I must pay at once, or he’d sell my notes 
with collateral attached, and that collateral is the 
80 o shares of the Hamilton Co.” 

“Whew!” said Dune. “Right here in hayin’, 
too! How much money have you on hand?” 

“I’ve got ninety-six thousand in the several 
accounts, Hamilton, Eastern, W. S. B. and Co. 
and my personal accounts.” 

“Well, why didn’t you pay him?” 

“Great Scott, Dune! I couldn’t give up all 
the ready money, with that pile of notes up in 
the air all due about the same time, and so I 
’phoned you to bring Seymour here, so we could 
legalize the issuing of some Allegheny Company 
paper and keep the showing good. I have a 
‘special’ on the company from Bradstreet, that 
I secured last night, and they rate them mighty 
good, so I think we can handle a nice bunch of 
their paper, and still keep our balances in good 
working shape.” 


160 “Four Months After Date" 


“You’re right, of course; but what started 
Hamilton up?” 

“That girl is at the bottom of it. She’s a daisy, 
Dune, and wanted to go in partners with me, 
and since I told her I couldn’t be hers, she has 
put machinery working to bring us to time. 
Hamilton said he had heard from Cromwell of 
our big recent discounts, and wanted his money. 
He also said he could dispose of my notes, with 
the collateral attached, to a firm of lawyers, 
which are undoubtedly Miss Clarkson’s law- 
yers.” 

“She must be a fire-eater, and no mistake,” 
observed Dune, with emphasis. “How old is she?” 

“Comes of age in three or four months, but 
she isn’t a fire-eater; she’s the most beautiful 
person I ever saw. You could have slain me 
with a toothpick when she appeared and said she 
was Miss Clarkson. No, she’s just having fun 
with us, and will do nothing underhand or mean. 
She’s taken it into her head to be a business 
woman, and she’s just demonstrating her ability 
for the excitement of it, that’s all.” 

“Well, you’re going to pay Hamilton?” 

“Yes, I want to pay him at three o’clock pre- 
cisely on Monday; but the meanest part of it is 
that I owe a man named Eagleton about fifteen 
thousand, and the equity in this stock that Ham- 
ilton held as security is pledged to him, so I am 
compelled to pay Hamilton in order to protect 
him, and in paying Hamilton we will make such 


“Four Months After Date” 1 6 1 


a hole in our finances that I must keep all the 
certificates of stock ready to use to raise money 
to handle our notes, if we don’t make any trade 
before they mature, so I must pay that fifteen 
thousand also.” 

“Oh, well you can handle this, Billy, I know 
you can. The thing that’s worrying me is this 
startling Miss Clarkson.” 

“I farm out Miss Clarkson to you, Dune, and 
as for the finances, I shall be happier handling 
something that requires thought, than I would 
doing easy things all the time.” 

“How much paper have you issued and floated 
already, Billy?” 

“One hundred and sixty-five thousand.” 

“Four months?” 

“One hundred and twenty-seven thousand 
five hundred at four months, $18,000 at three 
months, and $19,500 at six months.” 

“Well, you ought to be good for a good deal 
yet, and if we don’t have to pay out any money 
for the Empire shares at present, we can afford 
to pay up the claims against your stock; so you 
paddle that canoe, and give me what sugges- 
tions you can about this charming opponent of 
ours.” 

Just then Mr. Seymour was announced. 

"Mr. Burt,” said Drew, “this is Mr. Seymour, 
of the Allegheny Construction Company, of 
Pittsburg; Mr. Seymour, Mr. Burt, the new 
President.” 


162 “Four Months After Date” 


The two men shook hands. 

“Mr. Seymour,” said Burt, “certain affairs re- 
quire prompt action, and trusting we shall have 
full opportunity to become acquainted later, I 
wish to enter directly this morning into im- 
portant business matters. I wish to issue some 
paper of the Allegheny Company, and believe 
we can prepare it at once. You have always had 
two signatures on your notes hitherto, I under- 
stand?” 

“Yes, although we have used only small 
amounts of the concern's paper.” 

“Very well; I think you said, Mr. Drew, that 
there were only three directors in the Board?” 

“Only three,” said Dune. 

“We will have a meeting right now, then, and 
provide for Mr. Seymour and Mr. Ellis to sign 
all the notes of the company.” 

This formality was soon over with and a 
proper minute taken by Mr. Seymour for entry 
in the secretary’s book. Burt then handed Ellis 
a memorandum of notes to prepare as follows: 

$ 25,000 in favor of W. S. Burt & Co. 

12,000 “ “ “ Eastern & Co. 

4,000 “ “ “ W. S. Burt. 

12,000 “ “ “ The Hamilton Mfg. Co. 

“Make the amounts a little odd, Sam” said 
Burt. “Draw them for a little in excess of these 
figures, so that they will net fully these sums at 
four months.” 


“Four Months After Date” 163 


This was done, the notes signed, and Burt, 
leaving Drew and Seymour in the office, went 
out to have the discounts entered up. He re- 
turned in about an hour, having accomplished 
his errand successfully in every case, the com- 
mercial rating of the Allegheny Construction 
Company having made this as easy, if not easier, 
than if the paper had been that of the Empire 
Mfg. Co., which he had in most of the cases ar- 
ranged for at previous call. 

When Burt returned to the office, Seymour 
had gone out, after learning that an arrange- 
ment for the three men to dine at Burt’s club at 
six-thirty that night had been made. 

“Now, Dune,” said Burt, “what kind of a fel- 
low is Seymour?” 

“I take him to be a very decent and a mighty 
capable man,” said Dune. “He won’t stay in the 
company as secretary permanently, unless there 
is some provision for him to have an interest, 
his one share being merely a matter of form.” 

“Well,” said Billy, “if we don’t make a trade 
with the big people, we’ll need him, if he’s a good 
man.” 

“He is a good man,” said Dune. “He’s been 
with the Broadwater Co. for several years, I find, 
and knows a good deal about them. In fact, he 
has only been connected with the Allegheny 
Company for about a year.” 

“Safe, do you think?” 

“I feel very confident he is, for he worked with 


164 “Four Months After Date” 


me to effect the purchase of the stock of the oth- 
ers, and has talked very freely, though not in a 
gossipy way, about the general situation.” 

“Does he know our plans?” 

“Not from me. He may surmise them.” 

“I shall go back to Pittsburg with him Mon- 
day night and negotiate some paper there, and 
will talk with him on the way out,” said Burt. 
“Have you any distinct plan how to approach the 
Broadwater people, Dune?” 

“Why, yes, I have an idea; but won’t we have 
to settle matters with the lady Clarkson first?” 

“You can’t,” said Burt. “She would decline 
to negotiate unless you can find some potent way 
to move her, and still I think it would be risky 
for us to proceed too far in any negotiation with 
the Broadwater people without an understanding 
with her.” 

“Did you mention my name, Billy, in your talk 
with her?” 

“Not I, Dune.” 

“Well, that’s something. I must manage to 
get acquainted with her at once, and see what I 
can do in a roundabout way. Until I see her, I 
can form no plan ; but there is a matter in which 
we must take some steps.” 

“And that is?” 

“The S. J. & Y. R. R. Co. are dickering with 
the Broadwater Co. for some of those patent 
switches, etc., of theirs, and the question of giv- 
ing some stock in their company to a certain 


“Four Months After Date” 165 

official has come up. The contract is a big one. 
Here is the memorandum of it. We must take 
some lively steps to get our work in on the same 
man. I have found out the secret, I think, of the 
Middle States Co., and the funny part of it is, 
the Middle States Co. is the company that makes 
the big money, the regular Broadwater Co. 
being used to overshadow the trade and corrupt 
officials; for when you get into the region of the 
railroad companies on desirable contracts, you 
have to divvy, or you can’t deal. The business 
that has come your way heretofore has been such 
business as the Broadwater Co. let get away, to 
throw you fellows off the scent. I’ll bet that 
Middle States Co. makes a half million or more 
every year. They don’t make any reports, and 
are taxed by the State for the full capitalization 
of their company, and pay the assessment with- 
out a whimper.” 

“How long has this scheme been going on, do 
you think?” 

“Old Broadwater started it and Jimmy has 
been running things the same way. I’m going 
to run across him accidentally, and at the same 
time start a competing lobby after that railroad 
official, and we ought to be in the thick of it 
now in a few weeks.” 

“Do you think Broadwater will fight or deal? 
Won’t he think it is cheaper to fight?” 

“He might, if we can’t deliver all the goods; 
but if we show we are onto the scheme, especially 


1 66 “Four Months After Date” 


if we succeed in landing this particular thing, he 
ought to begin to be mellow, and I should think 
he would like to run all his own opposition, and 
would rather buy at big figures than have con- 
certed onslaught made on his preserves. If I 
find we have to actually do business on an ex- 
tensive scale against Broadwater, can you swing 
the finances?” 

“For legitimate contracts and to carry on 
actual business, I think I can raise some very 
large amounts. It’s this accommodation paper 
that bothers.” 

“Do you know, Billy, this business of yours 
is a tremendous thing, if it is worked properly? 
Upon my word, it’s so attractive to me that the 
idea of selling out of it don’t please me at all. 
Still, I know we can’t make permanent headway 
against the Broadwater combination, for they 
have a few millions to burn up in fighting. The 
most we can do is to let them know we are alive 
by securing this contract at any price; and the 
first thing to do is to increase the capitalization 
of the Allegheny Company, to have some stock 
handy in the treasury or unissued.” 

“Good scheme, Dune; what’ll we make it?” 

“Half a million.” 

“All right, let’s put that to work this after- 
noon, and in a few days the thing will be an ac- 
complished fact. I’ll go down to see old Book- 
staver, and he’ll start the corporation machinery 
going at once.” 


“Four Months After Date” 167 


“Do you think your competing articles are 
fully as good as those made under the Broad- 
water patents?” 

“I am sure of it. In fact, I know the Hamil- 
ton Co. have some remarkably comprehensive 
patents on switches, and I can’t believe those 
contrivances of Broadwater’s can compare with 
ours in practical use. We can license the East- 
ern Co. and the Allegheny Co. to make them, 
too. I am certain of my ground on the practical 
value of our product.” 

“All right, Billy, I have satisfied myself that 
you are right, and I want you to get very friendly 
with Seymour, and let him in to a proper extent 
in results, for I know his full co-operation will 
save us many mistakes. I think we are right up 
against some big things in a business way, my 
boy.” 

“Don’t forget Sister Clarkson, Dune, she’ll 
have to be reckoned with.” 

“I was just thinking about her. Does she op- 
erate in sassiety?” 

“I think so,” said Burt, “though I only know 
from her own references to it. I should think 
she would, for she is clearly built for success. I’m 
bound to say I liked her very much.” 

“Give me an idea of her, can’t you? Big or 
little?” 

“Oh, big, decidedly big — yet I don’t know — 
she wore a perfect tailor gown the morning she 
called here, and gave me the impression that she 


1 68 “Four Months After Date” 


was tall, perhaps five feet six and a-half or seven, 
or eight may be. Has truly remarkable hair and 
eyes, both exactly the same shade, if I saw them 
correctly, the suggestion of auburn you know, 
that every girl on earth would give five years for, 
and the eyes very large and long. Her mouth is 
perhaps rather large, but her lips are red and 
teeth small, chin looks innocent, forehead rather 
low, brows match the hair, figure absolutely 
faultless. Oh, she’s an out-and-out beauty, and 
I’ll bet she’s a good fellow. Her gown was abso- 
lutely plain, but it was a winner. You are about 
the stamp of man, Dune, to make headway with 
her. Your reputation for handsome is well de- 
served, your hundred and eighty pounds and 
seventy-one inches, backed up by your smooth 
tongue and some familiarity with the social 
game, ought to give you a good fighting chance. 
But take care, my boy, she’s an unusual woman. 
Don’t give the snap away, or we are lost. She 
has lots of nerve.” 

“Billy, I honestly think this development of 
our scheme ought to add lots of spice to it; your 
description of the fair Miss Clarkson is very en- 
ticing, and I shall make it my business to seek 
her out at once. Can you give me any hint that 
will make a short cut to her acquaintance?” 

“Not a hint, Dune, and it wouldn’t do if I 
could, for it would be sure to come out. Of 
course she mustn’t know that we know each 
other. You’ll have to start in and make the 


“Four Months After Date” 169 


whole running yourself. Here’s her address to 
help you identify her.” 

“You must have made some progress yourself, 
Billy, if she offered to go into partnership.” 

“Not at all, she was merely working on her 
father’s judgment. Oh, she outclasses me! I 
blurted out my astonishment first thing when she 
came in, not to be familiar or presuming or — or 
— or anything but natural, and it was a bad 
break. I told her, you see, that she prostrated 
me by her unexpected perfection as a woman.” 

“That was rather strong, Billy, my boy.” 

“Well, you handle this thing, I’m out of it, 
and I’m glad to be out of it. I’m a married man 
and the father of a very remarkable family. Will 
you clear out now, Dune, and let me get things 
closed up for the week and meet you and Sey- 
mour at the club for dinner?” 

Dune went. 


170 “Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER XIV. 

“The very minute I can get these business 
matters so I feel sure of my ground, I will sim- 
plify this home problem of mine heroically re- 
flected Billy Burt, in the quiet of his office that 
afternoon, after every one had gone. “People- 
in-law are a mistake, I know it, I knew it, 
everybody knows it; still, it is a mistake every- 
body is committing, and will continue to com- 
mit, because they are too strong-minded to be 
warned by the experience of others. Two distinct 
lines of people-in-law in one’s family produce 
discord instinctively, and a few remarkable chil- 
dren in the same family make a very interesting 
situation, indeed. My children are very nice 
kids, but in. such atmosphere they are as badly 
handicapped as if I were a drunkard as well as an 
idiot; and poor, dear Alice — what can I do to 
get back the girl I married? I am an incapable 
head of a household, a poor father and a bank- 
rupt citizen. Will money solve the problem? 
Can I make plans for all to live separately, 
and by devoting myself to Alice and the chil- 
dren gradually work things back where they 
belong?” 


“Four Months After Date” 171 

Burt paced the office a while and thought over 
these things. 

“Alice Warren and I were well calculated for 
each other; children and relatives ruined us. 
Has the test been too severe? Should our happi- 
ness withstand it all? Has my absurd financial 
imbecility been the cause of our hard luck? Or 
has it been simply people-in-law? The strain has 
been growing harder every day. I expect that 
girl to collapse any moment. I’ll go home and 
make her go to Pittsburg with me on Monday ; 
but no, I can’t, there’s Seymour, I must talk with 
him as much as I can. Here I have to come 
back down town to dinner with those fellows to- 
night, and I ought to have arranged it some 
other way. Poor dear girl, if you can only hold 
out now until I get these matters straightened, 
my debts all paid, and some money ahead, I will 
just take you up bodily and we’ll run away from 
it all. Here we’ve been married seven years, and 
never had a wedding trip of more than two days. 
I must make this thing win, there’s no other 
way.” 

Billy put on his hat and went up town, to find 
Alice sitting by the front window on the second 
floor, watching Harold draw little Alice down 
the street in a cart, ready at a moment’s notice 
to start after them if they should go too far or 
any slight accident happen. She heard Billy 
come in, but couldn’t abandon her position at 
the window to go and meet him, so he came up 


172 “Four Months After Date” 

and sat down beside her, put his arm around her, 
and kissed her. 

“Alice, dear, I’ve got to go back down town 
to dinner, and I’m awfully sorry,” he said. 

“I’m sorry too, Billy. It seems so forlorn 
when you’re not here to dinner.” 

“I don’t want to go, Alice, but I must. It’s 
a business dinner with Dune Drew and a Pitts- 
burg man, and I must go.” 

“Oh, I know you must go, if it’s business.” 

“I’ll be back early, dearest.” 

“Don’t try to come before you ought, just be- 
cause I am waiting for you, Billy; don’t mind 
me, finish your business. Some day you will have 
the business all done, I suppose, and we can see 
something of each other.” 

“I am working for it, sweetheart; but you look 
so awfully tired and worn out.” 

“I’m not tired.” 

“I know you are just completely exhausted. 
Can’t we put up some plan to get the pressure to 
let up a while, so that when I make my big 
strike, we can have a good long holiday?” 

“I don’t know what plan we can put up, Billy.” 

“Will you do things my way?” 

“Do you mean get some nurse or governess 
to look after the children?” 

“That’s part of it.” 

“Why, Billy, no good governess or competent 
nurse would stay here forty-eight hours, with 
everybody to direct her.” 


“Four Months After Date” 173 

“But I’ll assert myself for once and let the per- 
son we get have full swing under your directions 
alone.” 

“It would make life unbearable, Billy. Every- 
body would go around looking grieved, and 
there would be no peace anywhere. Besides, you 
couldn’t do that now without breaking up the 
whole family and making it much harder for me. 
No, there’s no way except to stick it out.” 

“Don’t you love me any more, Alice?” 

“What a funny question, Billy! You know I 
love you,” and Alice’s eyes grew moist and 
tender. 

“Then why can’t we do something right now 
to stop the drift away from each other? for this 
condition of things will surely draw us apart.” 

“We can’t do anything, Billy, until the chil- 
dren grow up. I won’t turn them over to people 
we can hire, it’s not right. You ought to see the 
-things I see from this window that hired nurses 
and governesses do to children, and you wouldn’t 
think of it any more than I do.” 

“Well, for my part, I think it is time our own 
happiness was considered a little, or you will be 
entirely incapable of being wife or mother 
either.” 

“I don’t work any harder than you do.” 

“Oh, yes, you do, Alice; besides, I am strong 
and you are not, and I have the whole mill to 
keep grinding, and you have not.” 

“I know I’m not very strong, Billy; you 


174 “Four Months After Date” 

ought to have married a big, strapping woman, 
instead of me, then you would have been hap- 
pier.” 

“Can’t you see how that wounds me, Alice, 
dear?” 

“I don’t mean to wound you, Billy; but I get 
so disgusted with myself for being so weak that 
I won’t permit myself to be weak.” 

“Oh, but I love you, dear, and if you were the 
big strapping woman you were talking about I 
wouldn’t love you. I never did love any one but 
you, and I can’t have you always wearing your- 
self out when we ought to be preparing to enjoy 
ourselves, as soon as I can get my business affairs 
in shape.” 

“I’m a cross old thing, Billy, and I shouldn’t 
think you’d ever want to see me again, but I 
don’t know how to do any differently. I seem to 
see my duty very clear, and I can’t neglect 
everything — you wouldn’t like that.” 

“I would like to try it. I think a little neglect, 
as you call it, would be a very good thing for 
everybody. The children would do just as well 
without so much attention; they have always 
had too much attention. Can’t we try to be 
happy, instead of trying to overdo all the time?” 

“I won’t have any one saying I neglect my 
children.” 

“Oh, be reasonable, Alice, there is a way to do 
this thing without this continual high pressure. 
I am sure there is. I need your help, I need your 


“Four Months After Date” 175 


sympathy with my plans, I need you as you used 
to be. Don’t you think I am entitled to some- 
thing? I’ve never found fault with you for any- 
thing in the world except overworking yourself. 
Your devotion to duty — a duty against which 
you constantly rebel — is producing a woman al- 
together unlike you as I know you. Won’t you 
look this thing in the face with me, and be happy 
once more, and help me to fight my battles?” 

“My battle here, Billy, is all I can fight. I 
know we are not succeeding very well in our 
married life, but I can’t see how it will be any 
better by neglecting duty.” 

“But we must do something, dear; we can’t let 
things go on this way.” 

“I don’t know what it will be, Billy dear, un- 
less to get along the best we can until the chil- 
dren grow up.” 

“The same old story, Alice.” 

Burt had talks like this with his wife quite fre- 
quently. They were always in the same strain, 
and never resulted in any change. It must not 
be thought that the atmosphere of their home 
was one of eternal gloom — quite the contrary, 
for the pranks of the children made continual 
amusement, and for the most part the whole 
family were cheerful and pleasant. Yet there 
rested very close to the surface the elements of 
discord, and all too frequently they came to the 
top. Of course, this was to be expected, and 
would have made little difference with any ex- 


176 “Four Months After Date** 


cept a sensitive disposition like Alice’s. On her 
the strain was very severe, and she showed the 
effects of it. 

Burt was completely puzzled. With the full 
knowledge that things were drifting wrong, with 
a disposition to provide everything for the 
comfort of all, he seemed powerless to stop the 
drift. Big success, he thought, might open a 
way to relief, and that big success he was now 
making every effort to achieve. 

If Miss Clarkson had known all that success 
meant to Burt, she would have sacrificed her in- 
terests, if necessary, to assist his plans; but not 
knowing how vital it was to him, only thinking 
it was ordinary business perplexity that he exag- 
gerated in talking with her, she felt she had 
shown her willingness to act with him, and his 
refusal to accept her advances made her opposi- 
tion determined and strong, just for the excite- 
ment of measuring her abilities with those of a 
regular business man, and so she planned to op- 
pose him in all his moves, as far as she was ac- 
quainted with them; and the fact that Burt did 
not accept her invitation to bring Alice to call 
on her, took her still further out of sympathy 
with him. So the silent struggle went on. A 
houseful of immortal souls pitted against the 
whim of a determined girl, and the outcome no 
man could say. 

On the following Monday, at precisely three 
o’clock, Burt entered Mr. Hamilton’s office. He 


‘‘Four Months After Date” 177 


had had the account carefully examined by com- 
paring the stubs in his check book with the 
amounts credited as payments, and the interest 
figures all minutely calculated, but not a single 
error could be found. 

A certified check for $48,006.64 was handed 
by him in silence to Mr. Hamilton, who gave 
him in return a package containing the certifi- 
cates of stock, the contract for payment, and the 
notes given so long before. Scarcely a word 
was spoken and from Hamilton’s office Burt 
quickly made his way to the office of Mr. Eagle- 
ton, greatly surprising him by liquidating his 
debt in full. 

“My deepest thanks are due to you, Mr. Ea- 
gleton, for your great assistance, and if I am suc- 
cessful in concluding the operations in which I 
am engaged, there will be something coming to 
you later on.” Burt delivered this brief oration 
with modesty and earnestness. 

“I hope you will pull things through, Billy, 
and if you don’t, I stand ready to help you all 
I can,” responded Mr. Eagleton, with a kindly 
smile. 

“I will tell you all about it when I get 
through,” said Billy. 

That night Burt and Seymour went to Pitts- 
burg, armed with a pocketful of promissory 
notes made by the Hamilton and Eastern Com- 
panies in favor of the Allegheny Co., which Burt 
successfully negotiated next day, and on his re- 


178 “Four Months After Date" 


turn to New York found, by careful computa- 
tion, that with everything settled for in the shape 
of purchase, saving only the interest of Miss 
Clarkson in the Empire Co., the amount of cash 
on hand in all accounts footed up $128,000. 
Against this there had been notes issued at three, 
four and six months to the total amount of 
$260,000. This looked all right on the surface, 
with three prosperous companies earning money 
all the time ; but the real hazard was now to come 
and under these conditions to measure forces 
with a concern controlling millions, and at the 
same time fight Miss Clarkson, would provide 
opportunity for very fine management indeed. 


“Four Months After Date” 179 


CHAPTER XV 

“Marion, you don’t happen to know a Miss 
Clarkson among your swagger friends, do you?” 

“Do I know a Miss Clarkson? No, but I 
know the Miss Clarkson, Duncan. Not to know 
Miss Clarkson would be an admission I could 
never make and hold my head up.” 

“Indeed! and is the Christian name of the Miss 
Clarkson Isabel?” 

“Is it possible, Duncan, that you have only 
just heard of Isabel Clarkson? Why, she has 
captured everything worth 
having for months. A cer- 
tain class of people, of whom 
I am one, just bow down and 
worship that girl, and a more 
independent, or a more sweet- 
tempered person never lived. 

She’s simply glorious. I’m in 
love with her myself.” 

“Well, Marion, this is say- 
ing a good deal for you. I 
never knew you to enthuse so about a woman. 
Why haven’t you mentioned her to me before, 
my charming sister?” 

“You forget, Dune, you have been so devoted 



180 “Four Months After Date” 


to business for the past few months that you 
have been hardly civil. It is several weeks since 
you have been in this house, and then you merely 
ran in for a few minutes. Besides, you ought to 
have seen Miss Clarkson’s name in the papers, 
for it is constantly mentioned. Don’t you read 
the papers?” 

“Not the society columns.” 

“Well, Isabel Clarkson is just a love of a girl, 
and does everything that’s worth doing. I’d like 
you to know her. How did you come to inquire 
about her, if you never heard of her?” 

“Only through a business matter. I had no 
idea she was such a society woman; she’s very 
young, isn’t she?” 

“Yes, abominably young, only twenty, but 
she’s a great success. Are you willing to go with 
me and call on her?” 

“Is she a great friend of yours, Marion?” 

“I’m afraid not. I am very fond of her, but 
I don’t flatter myself that she returns the compli- 
ment. She’s altogether too much the vogue for 
that, still she is always cordial.” 

“I should like to meet her very much, but not 
in a strictly conventional way. Can’t you con- 
trive something that would give me a chance to 
get well acquainted with her? I don’t want to 
have to wade through too much society talk; I 
can’t do it, and I am anxious to find out just 
what kind of a girl this wonderful Miss Clark- 
son is.” 


“Four Months After Date” i 8 i 


“You’ll keep your own counsel, I suppose, 
Dune, as to the reason why, but that doesn’t 
matter. You’re something of a credit as a pos- 
session yourself, my dear boy, and I’d rather like 
to show you off a little, especially as you don’t 
often give me a chance.” 

“Does she call on you frequently?” 

“Only formally, except she does run in on my 
day sometimes.” 

“What do you think you can plan, and how 
soon can you plan it?” 

“Aren’t you a little impetuous, Dunky, dear?” 

“I suppose so, but this is strictly business. I 
want a chance to see her in an unconventional 
way, and I know you can fix it up. Don’t make 
me spar with a half-dozen of the gilded youth to 
get at her, it takes too much effort and there’s 
too much interruption. Fix up a regular am- 
bush for her, Marion, organize any kind of an 
expedition you wish at my expense.” 

“That sounds sensible. Let me see — Arthur 
is going west to-morrow for a ten-day trip. To- 
day is Tuesday, to-morrow is my day, Thursday 
is hers. How would a trip to Lakewood 
answer?” 

“Capital. How many will you ask?” 

“Eight, and I’ll chaperon the party.” 

“That’s as small as you could make it, I guess. 
I’ll buy a parlor car both ways, and hire a hotel, 
if necessary. How long can you make it last?” 

“From Friday until Tuesday.” 


i 82 “Four Months After Date" 


“Do you think she’ll go?” 

“Haven’t a notion whether she will or not, but 
I can ask her.” 

“When will you invite her?” 

“If she don’t come to see me to-morrow, I’ll 
call on her Thursday.” 

“That won’t do; she couldn’t start at such 
short notice, and that means that all the rest will 
have to be asked any way, and a lot of time and 
money thrown away. Can’t you go around there 
now? I ought to be seen somewhere before we 
start. I don’t want you to spring me at her like 
a bomb after we get under way. I want to get 
things started with her first, and get 6olid on the 
trip down.” 

“What’s the big boy got on his mind, anyway? 
He’s in deep earnest about something,” and 
Mrs. Marion Fuller lifted her eyebrows a little 
and looked at Drew rather sharply. 

“What kind of people will the other six be, 
Marion?” 

“I’ll find some appropriate ones. You want 
people that will keep out of the way, I suppose.” 

“Sure I do, but you must be careful to have 
people that Miss Clarkson will enjoy.” 

“Trust me for that. What time is it?” 

“Just eleven. If I understand about these 
things, a morning expedition like this to invite 
a person to something ought to be all right. Do 
you suppose she has had her breakfast yet?” 

“Breakfast? That girl rises at seven o’clock, 


“Four Months After Date” 183 

takes exercise, fences, rides horseback, does 
everything but ride a wheel. I’ll go with you 
in ten minutes.” 

At just eleven-thirty Drew and his sister were 
being ushered into Miss Clarkson’s reception 
room, and a minute later Drew had been pre- 
sented to the goddess. 

“I have brought my big brother, Miss Clark- 
son, to help persuade you to join our expedition. 
We are going to Lakewood on Friday for a few 
days, and I would like you to go with us and a 
few others, if the notice is not too short. We 
didn’t think of it until an hour ago, and no one 
has been asked yet. Do you think you can go?” 

“I can go just as well as not, and I will count 
it a great pleasure. What day shall you return?” 

“Tuesday, a week from to-day. We’ll take the 
two o’clock train on Friday, and return on the 
nine o’clock train on Tuesday.” 

“That will be just lovely. Where have you 
kept your brother, Mrs. Fuller, that I have never 
seen him before?” 

“Honestly, I haven’t seen him myself until to- 
day for two months. When he came in, I in- 
stantly planned to do something to keep him in 
sight for at least a week, and I am deeply grate- 
ful to you for co-operating in this way, for I feel 
sure I shall have no further trouble.” 

“This is a season of the year when I am of 
little use in Marion’s business, Miss Clarkson. 
I’ll warrant she hasn’t thought of me all winter.” 


184 “Four Months After Date” 


“Your sister is very popular, Mr. Drew. I 
find her everywhere and always hemmed in.” 

“Married women like me are always with us, 
but you, dear Miss Clarkson, have captured all 
the honors this season, and, strange to say, every 
one is glad of it.” 

“Too sweeping by far, Mrs. Fuller. I have 
enemies.” 

“Marion says you ride, Miss Clarkson. Shall 
you wish to have your horse taken down?” 

“I couldn’t think of giving you the bother, 
Mr. Drew.” 

“I intend to take mine, and if yours is used to 
travel on the railroad, the thing is very simple.” 

“Grant is accustomed to the railroad, but it 
would be too much to undertake, would it not?” 

“I shall send a man with my mare, and if you 
can have your people help across the ferry, I am 
certain it can all be attended to with no incon- 
venience to any one. Moreover, if we are in for 
a good time, anything that will unwind joy must 
be attached.” 

“I commit myself to you then, Mrs. Fuller, 
and my horse to Mr. Drew, and anticipate every- 
thing. Lakewood is a favorite spot. I do so 
enjoy the pines.” 

“Marion,” said Drew, on the way home, “if 
you handle this thing properly, I’ll buy you the 
swellest gown you ever owned.” 

“I don’t know what to make of you, Dune; 
you never would look at a woman before.” 


“Four Months After Date” 185 

“But, Marion, I’ve never seen such a woman 
as this. I’m ready to join the procession of wor- 
shippers. Haven’t felt so much interest in any- 
thing since the last time I was thrashed at school. 
This little scheme of yours is a wonder. I wish 
we could start to-morrow; fancy three whole 
days of idleness.” 

“Not quite idleness, Dunky dear. I have the 
rest of the party to make up, and you have the 
parlor car to buy, and the hotel to hire, and 
some plans for entertainment while we are down 
in the pines. You had better take a run down 
there this afternoon, and get it all nicely ar- 
ranged. Do you know what this thing will cost 
you ?” 

“I don’t know, and I don’t care a — rush. I 
feel myself falling in love with that girl every 
minute.” 

“You’d better have a thousand handy to pay 
the bills for this trip, Dune; but don’t join the 
hopeless throng of Miss Clarkson’s adorers, you 
may be sorry for it. Better go a little slow, old 
boy.” 

“Not much, give me a clear field and a mode- 
rate amount of luck. I’ll have a big run for it. 
That girl’s a thoroughbred.” 

“That’s what she is, Dune, and the only 
woman I ever saw who is good enough for you 
to marry.” 

“Go slow yourself, Matsy. Don’t bring the 
word ‘marry’ so close to the rest of it. It makes 


1 86 “Four Months After Date” 


me blush. But just fancy, three straight hours 
of confab. Marion, I want you to stand guard 
with your longest hat pin, and poniard any one 
that tries to rescue that girl from my clutches. 
Get the rest of your people made up of engaged 
couples, or something like that, so I won’t have 
to waste any time. I want to make headway and 
make it quick.” 

On the ever-memorable Friday, the Lakewood 
party, after an early luncheon at Delmonico’s, 
found themselves, a little after two o’clock, being 
rolled smoothly out of the great railway arch into 
that mysterious commonwealth famous for jus- 
tice, apple jack and mosquitoes. Miss Clarkson 
had been inveigled into the drawing-room com- 
partment, and before she could escape, Drew 
had her engaged in coversation with sinister in- 
tent, and held her attention so completely that 
the interesting scenery between the first two 
drawbridges, that section which lies as a blot on 
the surface of mother earth, had been left behind, 
and not until the first ten miles had been covered 
did Drew take a full breath. Though he pre- 
sented every symptom of deliberateness, it was 
anxiety alone that possessed him. He was afraid 
of stampeding his prey, and he was equally 
afraid of some complication arising that would 
bring them within earshot of others, for the des- 
perate villain had determined to lay siege most 
violently to this incomparable girl’s heart. He 


“Four Months After Date” 187 

felt that ordinary methods would be useless, and 
as he observed the elegant simplicity of her at- 
tire, her wonderful hair and eyes, her faultless 
figure and wholesome though magnetic smile, 
he thought of his sister’s warning words, and 
wondered if it should be the plan of Providence 
for this peerless creature to lavish on him the 
wonderful treasures of her heart’s desire. He 
shuddered a little when he thought of the deso- 
lation of his own life, if he should actually grow 
to love her and be denied; but he wooed her with 
deliberate recklessness, interested her by ready 
turn of epigram, lapsed into the simplest touches 
of ordinary homely phrase, and continually sur- 
prised her with points of view. When he had 
succeeded in demonstrating the versatility of his 
thought, the aptness of his expressions and so 
covered abstract subjects, he found he held her 
interest unmistakably and changed his tactics. 

“You will perhaps have observed, Miss Clark- 
son,” said Drew deliberately, “that I have been 
solemnly endeavoring during the past half hour 
to make an impression. I have, as you will 
doubtless find, if I am blessed with your further 
acquaintance, told you during the past thirty 
minutes all I know and a little more.” 

“I have been interested by the fact that it was 
neither hackneyed nor cynical. I give you credit 
for being original, Mr. Drew.” 

“Whenever I succeed in producing that effect, 
I am pleased, for my performance is very care- 


1 88 “Four Months After Date” 


fully studied and committed to memory. My 
proceedings open with an oration like this to 
show off my grammar. The pronoun T pre- 
dominates. Before I am convicted of unalloyed 
egotism, I become a listener, and I assure you as 
a listener I am a big success. If I could ever 
hope you would take sufficient interest to talk, I 
know you would find me a spellbound audience. 
How long does a man have to be acquainted 
with you, Miss Clarkson, before you will talk?” 

“In the first place, the man must give oppor- 
tunity; but really I am much better as a listener.” 

“You surely are an adorable listener, but I am 
anxious to assume that role myself. Listening 
is a fine art; it is the spirit of successful conver- 
sation. You can’t become a finished listener by 
simply trying. The art must be so fine that it is 
artless. It is particularly difficult for a man to 
be a good listener. Men are so fond of hearing 
their own voices and so proud of their phrases. 
I can’t listen well myself until I have spoken my 
piece, and partially satisfied the natural mascu- 
line instinct to be heard. It comes easier for a 
woman, and nothing is more enticing to a man 
than absorbed attention to his words by the 
woman to whom he is attracted. The natural 
drift of such a conversation is to tender subjects. 
Sympathy develops rapidly in such atmosphere. 
A quick response is shown by one to the spoken 
words of the other, argument there is none, the 
lashes droop a little at times to hide a too earnest 


“Four Months After Date” 189 

gleam, the smile is almost transfiguration. You 
see this woman as no one else sees her. You are 
telling her things no one else ever told her, you 
are telling them in an incomparable way. Her 
estimate of your genius shines forth in an atti- 
tude of intentness that is of itself a caress. Your 
soul expands, you outdo yourself, you define the 
plan of salvation and sum up Holy Writ in terms 
you never dreamed of applying, but once applied 
you find them good. You solve the problem of 
soul’s affinity to soul. Dreams are dreamed no 
other mortal ever dreamed. You soar into 
flights of fancy in which idealized humans live 
a life of bliss unspeakable, into which selfishness 
and harshness cannot break. You find yourself 
amazed at yourself. You say ‘I am not as other 
men.’ You say also ‘This woman is not as other 
women, we are made for each other.’ You lead 
your glowing rhetoric up into the fields of 
pathos, you declare your undying passion, and — 
find you have been flirted with.” 

“I have never had such an elaborate experi- 
ence, Mr. Drew; I seldom feign an interest I do 
not feel. I admire your sketch very much, 
though, you make it so real. I can almost see 
it before me now. Such vividness must proceed 
from experience.” 

“It does. I have been through it all repeat- 
edly, except the climax. Someway I have al- 
ways been saved at the last moment by the slam- 
ming of a door, or a friendly sneeze, or the ap- 


190 “Four Months After Date” 

proach of mama, and in calm moments I have 
invariably decided that the listening did it — the 
inspiration of the semblance of human sympathy, 
helped along by a vision of female loveliness.” 

“Seriously, Mr. Drew, such awful tension 
must be wearing.” 

“Horribly so. One is saved from collapse only 
by the occasionalness of it. It is seldom you find 
so finished a listener as I have described, and at 
the same time one who will waste so much talent 
on you. But I want you to let me ask you about 
yourself a little. I fancy you must lead a very 
happy life, Miss Clarkson. You are such a suc- 
cess, surely the world owes you happiness.” 

“I don’t know about the success. I am try- 
ing to get all that is possible out of life. I want 
to keep up an interest in everything, and as yet 
I keep occupied and consequently contented.” 

“Do you feel the responsibility of life?” 

“How do you mean?” 

“Do you exercise your power over men al- 
ways for their good, or mainly for your own di- 
version?” 

“Without admitting that I have any special 
power over men, I do not feel called upon to 
distribute tracts. I must admit, I suppose, that 
I divert myself sometimes, though it cannot be 
said I give deliberate encouragement for vanity’s 
sake. I desire to be natural only. If I enjoy 
things, I show it, and I am not hard to please. 
If I am pleased with any man, I suppose I show 



You mustn't monopolize my star guest” 


( See page IQ7.) 




“Four Months After Date” 193 


it frankly. It’s much easier. I don’t go around 
rescuing ‘brands from the burning,’ yet it does 
not seem to me my heart is hard. I haven’t 
heard of any suicides on my doorstep, nor do 
I know of any drunkards I have made. I don’t 
think I enjoy the hopeless emptiness of society, 
yet I am not unwilling to receive its favors. I 
like my days best in which I have some business 
to transact. I like to rise after eight hours’ sleep, 
have a cup of coffee, a canter, a cold bath, then 
breakfast, and afterward a run down town for a 
little business.” 

“I can’t fancy you attending to business, Miss 
Clarkson.” 

“Oh, but I do, and I’m a business woman. 
Not that I am ambitious to be a business woman, 
but for the excitement of it. I want to be self- 
reliant. I want to get all I can out of life. I 
want to see if this business which men do is be- 
yond the ordinary woman to transact. Without 
the slightest desire to usurp men’s prerogative, 
I am curious. I don’t want to vote. I should 
like politics if they were honest. I would like 
charity, if I could attend to it myself; I don’t 
particularly interest myself in the work of or- 
ganized charities. I sometimes hunt out worthy 
objects, but I do this mainly from selfish motives. 
I enjoy it, if I actually find worthy objects, and 
in fact I think I enjoy it equally well if the ob- 
jects are not worthy. It seems to me, charity 
in the sense of financial aid, should be as broad 


194 “Four Months After Date” 

as charity in the sense of brotherly love. Of 
course I know the arguments about indiscrimi- 
nate giving, but it seems rather hard to make 
persons prove that they keep the ten command- 
ments and recite the Apostles’ Creed, before they 
can be supplied with the loaves and fishes. I 
would, perhaps, try to do more for the poor by 
actual contact with them, but for the natural 
selfishness that feels itself outraged by elbowing 
misery. I indulge in charity for the sensation, 
just as I do in business, and I don’t propose to 
be extreme in any of these things for fear of be- 
coming strong-minded.” 

Drew laughed. “I am not permitted to say 
just what occurs to me at your suggestion of 
strong-mindedness, except that the absurdity of 
it in association with you, as I look at you now, 
impresses me overpoweringly. I mean strong- 
mindedness as it’s understood, not strength of 
purpose, for I believe you capable of anything 
you will undertake. Of course I don’t take your 
estimate of your charitable efforts seriously. I 
am sure you do lots of good, just because your 
natural impulses are good. Goodness and all 
excellence of thought look out of your beautiful 
eyes. No soul possessing narrowness could have 
such windows. Do you pray regularly?” 

“Yes, don’t you?” 

“Not always. I believe always, but I can’t al- 
ways pray. Fresh from some evil, I cannot 
frame a prayer without too much humility. Re- 


“Four Months After Date” 195 

morse is a weakness, sorrow for sin is a frame of 
mind, the result of satiety more frequently than 
actual repentance. Prayer without repentance, 
it seems to me, is a mockery. If prayer becomes 
a form, it is hypocrisy, and there is hypocrisy 
enough without voluntary hypocrisy. But you, 
you pray with a pure heart and a clean con- 
science; you don’t have to repent.” 

Miss Clarkson was silent a moment. 

“But I do repent, Mr. Drew. I repent con- 
stantly innumerable things. I do much that I 
regret.” 

“It seems to me,” said Drew, “that the One 
to whom the thoughts and intents of the heart 
are known must see a limitless panorama of cir- 
cles. Most of us have certain besetting sins, and 
the circles of our sins are constantly widening 
to take in new sins and other sins; but you — 
surely your sin circle is imaginary. You don’t 
harbor malice, you cannot envy. If you excite 
envy, it is not because of ostentation. Your gen- 
erosity of thought and act promotes happiness, 
and if I may be permitted to say so, your smile 
enchants. Of what can you repent?” 

“To answer would be confession.” 

“Is not confession good?” 

“Not to mortals. It is so impossible to speak 
the whole truth.” 

“How singularly alike our thoughts are on 
this! Spoken confession is either egoistic or 
hypocritical, don’t you think? We tell more or 


196 “Four Months After Date” 


less than we feel, sometimes from the ever-pres- 
ent inability to make words reflect thought, or 
we exaggerate our humility, or keep back part 
of the price. ,, 

“You do not suffer from inability to express 
thought, Mr. Drew, though you analyze rather 
too close for me to follow.” 

“I like to have you say things like that, we 
get acquainted faster.” 

Miss Clarkson smiled. “Do people ever get 
acquainted?” 

“Seldom, I think; friendship is much easier. 
I was appalled the other day to find I was not 
acquainted with the one man who from child- 
hood had been my closest friend.” 

“It is much better so, is it not?” 

“Oh, infinitely. Fiction is so much better than 
truth. The worst possible thing that could hap- 
pen would be that every one should know the 
truth. Just imagine the upheaval. Nothing 
would survive, and yet people are not as black 
as they’re painted.” 

“Charmingly inconsistent, isn’t it?” 

“Charming because inconsistent, consistency 
is so commonplace.” 

“I have heard it spoken of as a jewel.” 

“A fallacy, because that which seems incon- 
sistent can generally be proven logical. The say- 
ing has a pleasant sound, but like most epi- 
grams, it deceives.” 

“You are profound, Mr. Drew.” 


“Four Months After Date” 197 

“Oddity is not education.” 

“At least, I credit you with a trained mind.” 

“No, it is merely a point of view, but I thank 
you immensely. We are in pretty deep water, 
though, for a May day, don’t you think? Isn’t 
it about time to be frivolous?” 

“Dune,” said Marion, appearing from the 
body of the car, “you mustn’t monopolize my 
star guest any longer. Miss Clarkson looks tired, 
and the others insist on seeing something of 
her.” 

“It is not fatigue Miss Clarkson shows, Ma- 
rion, it is interest, absorption. I take it ill of you 
to break in upon the intellectual treat we are 
having.” 

“Yes, indeed, Mrs. Fuller, I have been en- 
chanted, I assure you,” said Miss Clarkson, ris- 
ing. “Don’t blame Mr. Drew. It is I that am at 
fault. I have been so interested in his ‘point of 
view.’ ” 

“After you beam on the others awhile, mayn’t 
we resume?” asked Drew. 


198 “Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER XVI. 

The Lakewood incidents were a succession of 
joys, and Duncan Drew made the most of his 
opportunities for appropriating Miss Clarkson. 
Moreover it cannot be said that Miss Clarkson 
shrank .from his society. Drew had confessed 
that he had begged Marion to make up the trip 
solely for the purpose of making her acquaint- 
ance, and hesitated not to admit that he had de- 
liberately planned to have her to himself. 

If Isabel had not felt an attraction toward him, 
it would have been easy for her to resent such 
connivance; but Drew’s evident admiration for 
her actually gratified her not a little. If he at 
times seemed to be pedantic, he recognized it at 
once, and ridiculed himself, thus disarming the 
criticising thought, and leaving the way open to 
repeat the performance. Drew carried on his 
love-making with a finesse that had in it a sub- 
limity of frankness. They made a magnificent 
couple, and were followed by many envious eyes 
as they rode, drove, danced or walked together, 
and every advantage Drew gained he pushed. 

Marion Fuller was of course deeply satisfied 
at the sudden intimacy with Miss Clarkson, and 


“Four Months After Date” 199 

it was not hard to see the drift of things reflected 
in the fair Isabel’s caressing attitude toward 
Marion, for Isabel Clarkson did not especially 
scheme to hide her fancy for Drew. She was 
natural. It was her way. Of 
course, she had not stopped 
to think serious thoughts. 

She was merely pleased with 
Drew’s originality and per- 
sonality, but if she had ques- 
tioned herself, she might 
have admitted much. After 
every conversation with 
Drew, there seemed to be so 
much to think about that 
was pleasing, so many objects touched upon 
in a way she had never heard any other person 
approach them, but also in a way that appealed 
to her directly. Little of their conversation 
was of the vapid variety, yet much of it was 
frivolous. It surprised her to find thoughts, 
sometimes beliefs of her own, which she had 
never expressed and never heard put into words, 
described by Drew in a way that seemed to show 
an instinctive knowledge of what was in her 
mind. She did not stop to think that doubtless 
these same thoughts or beliefs were in lots of 
people’s minds, and that it required little beyond 
originality of words to bring them out. She 
gave Drew full credit for all the discernment to 
which he was entitled, and at times perhaps a 



200 


“Four Months After Date” 


little more. It was certain that she had never 
met a man who took her fancy so much, who 
entertained her so well, or who seemed to under- 
stand her so well, and Drew was withal a very 
well-constructed man as to form and feature, so 
perhaps it was not strange that their comradery 
made rapid progress. 

Drew had surrendered himself completely. 
From his first intention of furthering business 
projects, the subjugation of the bewildering Isa- 
bel had become a great personal necessity. He 
was beginning to love this woman with an in- 
tensity that surprised him. The more com- 
pletely he abandoned himself to the delight of 
loving her the more he despised himself for his 
original motive in seeking her. Not that the ne- 
cessity for accomplishing the original object 
were any less plain to him, but the fact that his 
deliberate approach was due to it, and not to 
natural attraction merely. Without thought of 
drawing back, he found himself drifting into the 
meshes of dilemma beyond which he could not 
see his way. He felt this girl must be told the 
truth, and he dared not tell her the truth. If 
he hadn’t loved her, he would have found means 
to accomplish his business object; but loving 
her, and eager for her society every moment, 
under the spell of her unusual attractions, and 
spurred by what seemed a willingness to listen to 
him whenever he approached, he dared not 
shatter the beautiful castles now being built by 


“Four Months After Date” 201 


confessing the original sin. Must a paltry busi- 
ness matter bar him from a lifetime of happiness? 
But the business matter was not so paltry. It 
had within it the stumbling-block to earthly suc- 
cess, for it was plain that Miss Clarkson must 
surrender to Burt, or the whole commercial 
fabric they were building must fall. Burt and 
Drew had talked this matter over several times, 
and it was clear to them both that every one of 
the companies in which they were interested 
must be included in their combination, else the 
final coup could not be made. History had 
shown that where one prosperous concern was 
left outside, the combination finally came to 
grief, but it seemed reasonable that with all par- 
ties opposed to Broadwater united in one com- 
pany, it would be possible to force Broadwater’s 
hand. 

Drew had already laid plans with Burt to form 
a new corporation of very large capitalization to 
absorb all the others, and had started machinery 
to bring himself into personal contact with a cer- 
tain railroad official, whose co-operation he pro- 
posed to buy. If he succeeded in making head- 
way with this man, and so capturing the enor- 
mous contract for material for their new corpo- 
ration, it would instantly put them on competing 
ground with Broadwater, and on this ground, 
consolidation would surely result, with proper 
diplomacy. 

Again, the accomplishment of this great deal 


202 “Four Months After Date” 


was of moment to Burt in ways which he had 
hinted to Drew were absolutely vital to his home 
happiness; for now that they had taken the 
plunge, no drawing back was possible, and even 
if no consolidation could be effected with the big 
interests in their business, they must be in condi- 
tion to carry on their combined concerns with 
profit, and this would mean making terms with 
Miss Clarkson for the co-operation of the con- 
cern over which she would hold control every 
time an opportunity for competition appeared, 
and both men were well convinced that she 
would drive hard bargains on every occasion. 
So Drew and Burt had decided to lay their plans 
as though the Clarkson Company, as they called 
it, were acting in concert with them on the plans 
of consolidation, and rely on Drew’s ability to 
secure Miss Clarkson’s shares. It is needless to 
say neither man contemplated carrying the busi- 
ness negotiation into the fields of romance, but 
into those fields it had drifted, and how to get 
the business element out whole and leave the ro- 
mance intact, had become to Drew a compli- 
cated problem, indeed. 

“If I confess that I am Burt’s partner, I am 
lost. If I do not confess it, she will surely find 
it out, and I am lost again. If we come out 
boldly and offer to take her into partnership now, 
it will involve risks for her which she must not 
be permitted to take; and in any case she would 
insist on equal division with us and if the in- 


“Four Months After Date” 203 

troduction of business does not completely wreck 
my hope of personal favor, the final outcome 
will be unfair to Burt.” 

While all of these complications found a place 
in Drew’s thought in an indefinite way, he still 
made the most of every opportunity, during the 
Lakewood visit, to seek Miss Clarkson’s society, 
and his passion strengthened hourly. 

On Monday afternoon, the day before they 
were to leave Lakewood, a number of them had 
gone for a long canter, and coming back toward 
night the party quite naturally became divided 
into twos, and Drew and Isabel stopped their 
horses at a small stream in the edge of the pine 
woods to let the animals drink and get refreshed 
for the remaining miles. Drew fastened the bri- 
dle reins to neighboring trees, and sat himself 
down on a convenient rock for a few minutes’ 
chat. Miss Clarkson held her crop across her 
knees and looked aloft at the play of the last 
gleams of the sun on the tree-tops, while Drew 
idly but gently whipped the ground in silence, 
trying to appear unconcerned. 

Finally he said, “It was easier to talk to you 
when I first met you than now.” 

“You do not need to talk.” 

“But I want to talk, or rather, I want you to 
talk, for after to-day I must come down to earth 
and I want to have as many of your words to re- 
member as possible.” 

“We have had so much conversation during 


204 “Four Months After Date” 


the past three or four days that there can be little 
we could now say.” 

“There is still much to say, Miss Clarkson, I 
know something I am dying to say ” 

“If there is anything you are dying to say, Mr. 
Drew,” said Isabel, rising, “don’t say it. There 
is no sensation so full of delight as having some- 
thing one is dying to tell. After it is told, it is 
a possession no longer, and the results of telling 
are frequently disastrous. Shall we not now 
proceed?” 

“At the risk of being hackneyed, I must say 
that you are a perfect stunner in that riding cos- 
tume. Won’t you stand like that for a moment? 
There, sit down again, please, and I’ll promise 
not to say the thing you are afraid I am going 
to say — that is, I won’t say it just yet. I warn 
you I shall say it soon, if I am miserable ever af- 
terward; but I will take your advice and put it 
off.” 

“Now, don’t talk about it, Mr. Drew, for al- 
though I haven’t the least idea what you mean, 
I won’t listen.” Nevertheless Isabel sat down, 
and she didn’t look unhappy. “You and your 
sister have given us a very delightful time down 
here, and I shall remember it with much pleas- 
ure. I have for a long time wanted to know 
Mrs. Fuller well, and I am glad of this chance 
she has given me. I think her a very delightful 
woman.” 

“She just raves over you, Miss Clarkson, and 


“Four Months After Date” 205 

she seldom gets enthusiastic over people. I am 
awfully glad you like Marion, it will make it 
easier for me to see you later on.” 

“You will have no difficulty seeing me, Mr. 
Drew; but why do you never appear at any of 
the things at people’s houses? I never even 
heard of you until Mrs. Fuller brought you to 
call that morning.” 

“All my life, Miss Clarkson, I have had to 
grind, and it is only lately I have felt free to en- 
joy myself a little. My experience with society 
has not been encouraging. I can’t make head- 
way in a crowd. In a quiet nook I do very well 
at times, but the tremendous effort of conform- 
ing to the usages of society scares me, and I’ve 
never had time to get used to it. I will push a 
little now, though, so that I may at times touch 
the hem of your garment.” 

“Have you then met with success of late?” 

“Only moderately, and I may lose it all in 
something I have gone into.” 

“What awful chances some men take in busi- 
ness, don’t they?” 

“They have to, Miss Clarkson, if they accom- 
plish anything; the excitement of it is a wonder- 
ful sensation, not merely because of the hope of 
gain, but for the satisfaction of success.” 

“I believe you. I have been studying a few 
things that earn money for me to live on; invest- 
ments father made, and I am deeply interested 
in watching them. I have never taken any 


206 “Four Months After Date” 


chances though until the other day, and I don’t 
know just why I did that.” 

Drew trembled. Was it possible this girl was 
going to lead things herself on to ground where 
something might be done to rescue the situation 
out of its perplexity? While he sat pondering 
an instant how the subject might be continued 
without arousing suspicion, Mrs. Fuller with her 
escort reined up alongside the road, and called 
out: 

“You two come along; we are the last, and 
it is several miles in.” 

“This is mean of you, Marion,” answered 
Drew, “I was just getting solid with Miss Clark- 
son when you broke in. Why can’t you let a fel- 
low have a little show?” 

“I am chaperoning this party, Dune, and I 
can’t have you two young things sitting around 
here on rocks after sunset; you’ll have to come 
along.” 


“Four Months After Date” 207 


CHAPTER XVII. 

If Drew had wooed Isabel Clarkson vigor- 
ously on the trip down to Lakewood, and con- 
tinued to woo her persistently during the visit 
there, he outdid himself on the return, for now he 
was in solemn earnest, and determined to make 
the most of his chances. He as much as told her 
twenty times that he loved her, and that he was 
going to tell her of it in so many words, and the 
fact that Isabel, though making no visible sign, 
still tolerated him, encouraged him to believe he 
might not sue in vain. It was all very precipi- 
tate and unheard-of, but Drew argued that, hav- 
ing lived thirty-three years without having seen 
any woman he wanted to marry, he ought to be 
considered capable of judging for himself by this 
time, and having found the woman, young, 
lovely beyond words, of sweet disposition and 
trained mind, why should he hesitate? And he 
did not hesitate. He could not make her a formal 
offer of marriage while she was still their guest, 
but he would do so the instant he could get a 
hearing afterward, and he would do it boldly. It 
had become his settled plan to ask her first to be 
his wife, and if she accepted him, he would fight 


208 “Four Months After Date” 


out the business matter afterward. It began to 
look easier, and already his anxiety was centred 
on the chances of her listening to him when he 
plead for himself. 

And Isabel, of what was she thinking? Drew’s 
words by the brook in the pines were an unmis- 
takable warning, and on the gallop home that 
night it is certain she spurred her horse unduly 
that she might not have to talk. Her heart was 
filled with conflicting emotions, but withal she 
was happier than she had ever been. She had 
had her visions of the man she might marry some 
day, but the real man, who rode beside her and 
who had come into her life but a week before, 
seemed in every way worthy. It was hard to 
realize that eight days ago she had never heard 
of him. It might seem folly to rush head- 
long, at the height of her popularity, into the 
arms of a stranger, and bind herself for life; yet 
if Drew had asked her, even that night, to marry 
him, she would have told him “yes.” 

There was something extraordinary about the 
headlong frankness of this man who plunged 
into his wooing with such fierceness. There was 
a compelling influence that made her listen at 
first, whether she would or not, and afterward 
made her listen because she had rather listen to 
him than to anyone she had ever known. 

The day after their return to the city was 
Marion’s regular “day,” and Isabel came for a 
cup of tea. Drew was waiting for her. He had 


“Four Months After Date’* 209 


not been down town to see Burt, having deter- 
mined that he would put his fortunes to the 
touch before he took up business matters again, 
and anxious as he was to take hold of the throttle 
once more, he was more anxious still for the de- 
cision of his fate with Isabel, and so had deliber- 
ately kept aloof from the office. He had been 
watching Marion’s callers from an upper win- 
dow for an hour before Isabel descended from 
her carriage and entered. As she was leaving, 
Drew appeared attired for the street, and asked 
her if she would send her carriage home and 
walk with him. A second’s hesitation and this 
was done, and twenty minutes later Isabel had 
shown Drew into her cool library. It was five 
o’clock. Isabel went up the stairs a moment to 
remove her hat. Drew walked restlessly around 
the room. Scarcely a word had been spoken on 
the walk home. Isabel knew the moment was 
at hand. She came down the stairs with deliber- 
ate step, but her heart was beating with violence. 
She drew aside the portiere dividing the library 
from the hall, and hesitated a moment in the pas- 
sage. Drew stood on the opposite side of the 
room and watched her. As she advanced, he ad- 
vanced also, and in a voice that was unsteady 
from the deepest emotion this man had ever 
known, he said, “Isabel, I want you for my wife.” 
Almost at the same instant his arms were around 
her, and she had resigned herself to his embrace 
without a word. Both were trembling. Drew 


2io “Four Months After Date” 


led her to a sofa, where they sat in silence for 
several moments. 

“Isabel/ ” he said, finally, “this is a dream of 
joy. I am now free to tell you, as well as I can, 
how well I love you. I have told it to myself 
in the most beautiful phrases ever constructed. 
I have been saying it to myself silently every 
time I have looked into your pure eyes. I have 
wondered if I might ever say it to you, and now 
that you give me the right I am tongue-tied. 
Appalled at the audacity, the barefacedness of 
my headlong wooing, I yet would have told you 
my honest love to-day, had I been certain you 
would have driven me to outer darkness. You 
have taken possession of my heart and soul. 
There is nothing good or beautiful where you 
are not. Supreme in all your ways, at once the 
envy and the joy of all, you are, while yielding 
to my touch, yet more unapproachable than even 
I had thought. I shudder at the surrender you 
make to me. I revere you as the good revere 
the Infinite. I hunger for you. I do not dare 
to seek your caress. I cannot understand why 
the joy of your love should be mine. My hu- 
mility is deep when I think of my unclean hands 
and impure heart; but don’t shrink from me, for 
I love you — I love you — and your consent, if 
withdrawn, would take my better nature with it.” 

These words of Drew’s were spoken brokenly. 
His usual ease of expression was all gone. For 
the first time it was difficult to find words in 


“Four Months After Date” 21 1 


which to clothe his thoughts. Winning the love 
of this adorable woman was now a wonderful 
thing to him, more wonderful as an accom- 
plished fact than it had been when he merely 
hoped. 

‘‘I am very happy, Duncan, too,” Isabel an- 
swered simply in a voice scarcely audible. “I 
feel we shall be happy together. I believe you 
are a good man, although you say you are not; 
but whether good or bad, I love you and will 
be your wife.” 

The conversation between a man and a woman 
who have just contracted an engagement of mar- 
riage is most absorbing to them and generally 
absurd for others. We are interested in the 
events that precede — the hopes and fears, the 
difficulties overcome, the misunderstandings, the 
final surrender; but once the promise is given, 
the situation becomes commonplace and interest 
flags. The softening of the heart begins to take 
on the appearance of softening of the brain, and 
the transit from romance to reality, once accom- 
plished, is for the observer or the reader a transit 
from interest to toleration. 

What Drew said to Isabel and what Isabel 
said to him, are they not all recorded in the books 
of the chronicles of engaged people? It is there- 
fore no business of ours, except that after a most 
delightful hour, Drew inquired, “Is there nobody 
I have to ask for you — your aunt, your guardian, 
or somebody? Is there no deed for me to dare, 


212 “Four Months After Date" 


no one to inspect my bank account, no one to put 
a damper on my happiness by telling me to be 
good to you?” 

“Absolutely no one, Duncan. I shall present 
you to my aunt, and you will dine with us, and 
to-morrow I will myself tell the only approach to 
a guardian I have, so you see I am doing all the 
hard work; but honestly, Duncan,” and she 
looked at him tenderly, “it is work I am proud 
to do.” 

“The favor you show me, Isabel, and the gen- 
erous things you say are completely spoiling me. 
I can’t stay to dinner with these clothes.” 

“You shall stay to dinner in those clothes. I 
want to talk to you every minute until dinner 
time, and the clothes you wear are very pretty 
clothes indeed. You will, I hope, have many 
opportunities for wearing proper clothes at the 
many dinners we are to eat together.” 

At nine o’clock that night Drew rang the bell 
at Burt’s house. 

“Well, Dune,” said Burt, “where have you 
been disporting yourself for the past week? I 
was just getting ready to start the Department 
after you. Have sent to your apartments three 
times since five o’clock. I never was so glad to 
see anybody in my life. 

“Billy, I have succeeded in getting things into 
the most awful mess, and I’m the gladdest fel- 
low you ever saw.” 

“Hey!” said Burt, “explain yourself.” 


“Four Months After Date” 213 

“1 can’t, Billy, all in a minute. Are we free 
from interruption here?” 

“No, we’re not, Dune; come into my home 
office and help burn some tobacco.” 

“This is a pretty snug house of yours, Billy.” 

“Yes, Dune, the house is all right. Is it pos- 
sible you’ve never been here before?” 

“Never, Billy; what rent do you pay?” 

“Now see here, Dune, don’t bring up any un- 
pleasant subjects like rent. The rent question 
is always with us. Fire away on your recent 
conduct; what have you been doing?” 

“Billy Burt,” Drew stopped, then he got up 
and lit a match and walked up and down a 
couple of turns — “Billy, I ” 

“Well, cough it up, Dune; this suspense is 
awful.” 

“I’m engaged to be married,” Drew finally 
blurted out. 

“Well, what of it? I congratulate you. Hope 
you have lots of luck. Anybody I know?” 

“Yes.” 

“Well, Who is it?” 

“Guess; will you?” 

“See here, Dune, you act like a schoolboy. 
Who’s the girl?” 

Dune lighted another match and walked 
around a little more, while Burt eyed him with a 
curious half-smile. Finally Drew stopped, and 
leaning on the table, looked full into Burt’s eyes. 

“Isabel Clarkson.” 


214 “F° ur Months After Date” 

Burt’s feet came down with a thud. 

“Well, I’ll be d d ! Dune, let me think.” 

“Don’t think, Billy, it’s madness. I’ve been 
trying to think myself and can’t, so I came 
around to take it out in talk.” 

“You’re fooling me, Dune; or did you really 
know this girl and keep it from me?” 

“Not a bit of it, I never heard of her until you 
spoke of her, and never saw her until a week ago 
yesterday.” 

“And you are actually engaged to be married 
to her? Stuff and nonsense! Why, that girl has 
some sense.” 

“Thanks, my boy, I am sure of it. Law and 
gospel, Isabel Clarkson promised to be my wife 
this very afternoon, and I’ve just come from her 
house, where I dined with Isabel and her aunt.” 

“You can’t make me believe, Duncan Drew, 
that you conquered that magnificent girl in one 
week. There’s some string on it somewhere, 
something you’re keeping shady, some extenu- 
ating circumstances.” 

“Not one, on my honor. Isabel Clarkson is 
my promised wife, and I’m the proudest man 
awake at this moment; but think of the compli- 
cations. She don’t know I’m your partner. I 
have never mentioned your name. She don’t 
know that I ever heard of you, and the whole 
business is in a beautiful mess.” 

“One thing at a time, Dune. Let me get fully 
used to the idea, give me some corroborating 


“Four Months After Date” 215 


details. I can’t very well accept your unsup- 
ported statement about a matter so absurd. How 
did all this come about?” 

“Well, I went to work deliberately to seek her 
acquaintance, and fell in love with her almost 
instantly. I talked to the gallery for the first 
hour after I met her, and then found myself driv- 
ing things with a high hand. I couldn’t seem to 
control myself at all. I have been down to Lake- 
wood, with a party my sister Marion contrived 
at my expense; went down last Friday, came 
back yesterday. I talked to that girl all tlhe way 
down, all the while we were there, and all the 
way back, and I’ve won out with a flourish this 
very day.” 

“Well, Dune, if you can make that remarka- 
ble young woman agree to marry you after an 
acquaintance of practically five days, you are 
capable of doing all the rest. What’s worrying 
you now?” 

“Why, can’t you see? I’ve got to get that stock 
from her, and I can’t go and ask her for it, and I 
of course can’t buy it.” 

“Well, if you are engaged to her after a week’s 
acquaintance, you ought to be married by three 
days from now, and the rest is easy.” 

“Don’t joke, Billy. I must make a clean 
breast of it the first thing I do, and I’m awfully 
afraid I’ll botch it, and she’ll think I’m mer- 
cenary, and will perhaps distrust the sincerity of 
my love for her. I tell you it’s serious.” 


2 i 6 “Four Months After Date” 


Burt reflected. 

‘‘Yes, you must do that, Dune, but it’s no dis- 
credit to you nor reasonable ground for her dis- 
trusting you that you first sought her with a 
business object. I’ll warrant if you have done 
the astonishing thing you say you have, and I 
don’t more than half believe it, Isabel Clarkson 
is so deeply in love with you that she will take 
your explanation without a second’s hesitation.” 

“Well, you see, Billy, if I had marched boldly 
up to her in the first place and said, ‘Mademoi- 
selle, I want to do some business with you,’ and 
if afterward I had made love, it would be a little 
different; but I began making love almost at the 
beginning, and never a hint at business did I 
make, and now the whole thing is so recent that 
it will look premeditated, and I am so completely 
under the spell of the wonderfulness of her con- 
sent to marry me that I have lost all my glib- 
ness in talking to her, and shall look and feel 
guilty. Can’t you see how difficult it is?” 

“Well, in that light it is a trifle dubious. Do 
you think it is necessary for you to tell her at all, 
until after you are married? You must remem- 
ber that you are acting for her best interests any 
way, and have no thought of taking advantage. 
Besides, if we win out, all you make will be hers 
by marriage covenant, and the difficulties are 
purely sentimental.” 

“I don’t think so, Billy. You have had one 
talk with Isabel, and you must admit, and have 


“Four Months After Date” 217 

admitted, that she’s a remarkable girl. I think 
she is thoroughly whole-souled, and would give 
me the benefit of the doubt; but I wouldn’t take 
the chance of having her misunderstand my mo- 
tives, even if it were plain they were for her own 
good. If she were to know, for instance, exactly 
what we have said at this talk, and that finally 
you persuaded me to practically force her hand 
through the process of marrying her, I would 
be in the position of siding with you against her 
and without her knowledge, and her pride as a 
business woman — and perhaps something 
stronger — would be touched. No, the chance is 
too great. I must pull myself together and tell 
her I’m your partner, and tell her why I sought 
her out. That’s the worst part of it, for I was 
acting like a villain, and I know it.” 

“Dune, you are right, and it seems peculiar 
that both of us should be placed toward Miss 
Clarkson in a way that demands such close 
analysis in order to determine the proper course 
to pursue; but you are right, and I am confident 
your way will win. But in view of the fact that 
there is something demanding your instant at- 
tention, I think I had better undertake this mat- 
ter for you.” 

“I am afraid it would look cowardly in me to 
have any one, even you, undertake to smooth my 
way. The righteous are bold. It’s the wicked 
that flee.” 

“Dune, you must leave here on the first train 


218 “Four Months After Date” 


in the morning for Washington, and must not 
return until you have accomplished a certain 
thing. Sam Ellis was here just after dinner and 
told me something that makes action all around 
imperative. Sam, the sly dog, it seems has been 
making love to old Southward’s typewriter girl, 
and through her he secured some information 
which will make us hustle. He saw her just at 
nigfht — she called him on the ’phone, he said — 
and he came and told me.” 

A long conference then followed, and it was 
well past midnight when Drew left Burt’s house 
and made his way home. 


“Four Months After Date” 


219 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

Nations often underrate their adversaries and 
plunge into war blindfold. So it is frequently 
with business men, who never look at the other 
fellow’s side to examine its strength or deter- 
mine its weakness with certainty. 

James Broadwater Broadwater, the son of 
James Broadwater, found himself at twenty-eight 
years of age the master of a business of large di- 
mensions and phenomenal earning capacity. 
The elder Broadwater had, during his lifetime, 
perfected the workings of the immense enter- 
prise, fortifying the Broadwater interests by 
maintaining what purported to be formidable 
opposition, under a wholly different name, and 
located several hundred miles distant. He had 
also so contrived to conciliate and affiliate every 
important avenue for disposing of their product, 
that successful competition with these apparently 
rival concerns of heavy calibre, was a proposi- 
tion which men of sufficient capital were slow to 
take hold of. The consequence was that Broad- 
water piled up a large fortune, and viewed with 
indifference the three small concerns, which 
though, competitive, never attempted to reach 


220 “Four Months After Date” 


out into the great arena where he did business. 
All the big plums went to Broadwater, and the 
business was so manipulated by him that his 
moves were very well hidden indeed. 

It was a matter of course for the concerns in 
which our good friend Burt was interested to see 
the big contracts go Broadwater’s way; but the 
business which the capital and facilities of their 
three small companies permitted them to do was 
sufficiently profitable to satisfy the stockholders, 
who, in point of fact, preferred conservative 
management and regular dividends to open fight 
with the big companies. 

It is quite true that Burt chafed at the situa- 
tion, and his gradual spreading of interest into 
all three of the companies gave evidence of an 
expectation on his part of future possible 
aggressiveness ; but Burt’s personal finances 
gave him so much occupation, his regular sys- 
tem of overreaching was so productive of crises, 
that he for several years found little time to ar- 
range the necessarily extensive plans in definite 
shape, and secure the co-operation of the proper 
capital to accomplish his ends. So it was that 
the three little companies worked along in their 
grooves, and gave Broadwater no trouble, and 
Broadwater continued to make dollars to their 
cents every year. 

When James Broadwater Broadwater, com- 
monly known as Jimmy Broadwater, through 
the sudden death of his father, came into his 


“Four Months After Date” 221 


kingdom, he was wholly unprepared for the task 
that fell to him. The father, being a secretive 
man, had never arrived at the point where he 
could take any one into his confidence wholly, 
even his own and only son. Moreover, this same 
son had so studiously contrived to do violence to 
his systematic parent’s ideas of deportment that 
the elder man doubted his son’s ability to grasp 
the fine points of the carefully constructed fabric 
which was bringing in such magnificent returns ; 
and so with the full knowledge that no other 
legitimate successor could there be, James 
Broadwater, Sr., kept his own counsel, thinking 
perhaps the time might come when the younger 
James could be trained for the future, but if not, 
that was young James’ lookout. As for him- 
self, he made money for the satisfaction of it, 
spent all he cared to spend, and permitted his son 
to spend all the young man dared ask for. 

It was perhaps not singular that “Jimmy” 
should have looked around for adventure, for 
after the death of his mother when he was fif- 
teen years of age, the house was a gloomy one 
indeed to this only child. The father was too 
busy making money to train the boy, so the 
boy’s associates undertook the task, and ere long 
young Jimmy required no tutor in current forms 
of wickedness. He was a marked figure at the 
college where Drew first met him, and a leader 
in everything but classical lore. Four or five 
years of “going through the mill” followed his 


222 “Four Months After Date” 


graduation, and it was just beginning to dawn 
on James that he had ground about all the grist 
there was to grind in pleasure’s millstones, when 
his father up and died one day, and left no will. 

The Broadwater fortunes were at the highest 
point they had ever been, the business in a state 
of systematic prosperity, the accumulated for- 
tune of old Broadwater salted down in the most 
approved securities and real estate, and when the 
magnitude of the whole thing dawned on Jimmy, 
it staggered him. For days he remained almost 
constantly with his father’s lawyers, acquiring 
information about the extent of the fortune to 
which he was heir, and afterward he turned his 
attention to the big Broadwater Company, and 
put in several months familiarizing himself, in 
his own way, with the working of the institution 
and of that of the subsidiary Middle States Co. 

Nothing commonplace could have saved 
young Broadwater, but the great property and 
the magnificent conception of it stunned him — 
actually forced him into the traces, and a com- 
plete revolution in his habits followed. He stu- 
died the business with great care, and with a 
growing admiration for his father’s ability. He 
cemented acquaintance with all the interests 
which the elder man had tied to the company, 
made himself master of nearly all the valuable 
details of the manufactures they controlled 
— their patents, their plans and their methods; 
and before he had held the reins for one whole 


“Four Months After Date” 223 

year, he was traveling in his father's footsteps 
and found in business success supreme joy. 

The elder Broadwater’s policy of ignoring the 
small companies in the business had been so suc- 
cessful that Jimmy followed his methods, in this 
as well as in other things, and gave them little 
thought. But when the little Allegheny Com- 
pany was started in Pittsburg, it began to sug- 
gest itself to young Broadwater that perhaps the 
time had arrived for amplifying his father’s plans 
somewhat, and so he began to think seriously of 
acquiring that company and its patents for fur- 
ther concentration, especially as this company 
had attracted his notice by some bold moves 
toward larger business than he had supposed it 
capable of handling. This, however, was merely 
a demonstration on the part of the Allegheny 
Company for recognition, and Broadwater 
might have bought them up easily, if he had 
tried; but he was so new to the affairs he was 
managing that he did not propose to permit him- 
self to make any move, however small, without 
due consideration, until he had his future plans 
fully laid. Moreover, he was incautious enough 
to make inquiry about the Allegheny Company 
in such a way that it indicated a possible purpose, 
and this coming to Drew’s ears just at the 
proper time, that gentleman succeeded in acquir- 
ing the entire stock of the Allegheny Company, 
as we have seen, at one swoop, the stockholders 
having become convinced that their chance of 


224 “F°ur Months After Date” 


successful competition against Broadwater was 
about as likely as that of a naptha launch against 
an ocean liner. 

The fact that the Allegheny Company had 
been bought out by New York parties became 
known to Broadwater within twenty-four hours, 
and he set to work to discover the meaning of 
the circumstance, with results that, it may be 
easily believed, surprised him not a little. 

His first information seemed to show conclu- 
sively that all the stock of all the little companies 
was now held by one man, and associated with 
that man was a man named Drew, who seemed 
to keep in the background as a factor, but came 
to the front as negotiating agent. More com- 
plete information revealed the fact that this man 
was Duncan Drew, a man he had slightly known 
at college. 

“It can’t be a very strong combination/' 
thought Broadwater, “Drew was a very bright 
man in college but was never thought to be rich, 
and it takes money to do this sort of thing. As 
for Burt, he’s broke and always has been.” 

The next piece of information brought out the 
real facts in the case, and showing Isabel Clark- 
son’s relation to it, set Broadwater thinking 
harder than ever. Of course Broadwater was 
right in estimating the combination a pretty 
weak thing financially, but he failed to give 
proper credit to Drew’s business capacity and in- 
domitable will. Still, it seemed to him that he 


“Four Months After Date” 225 

might make a little trouble for the enterprising 
young men by putting a little of his pin money 
into the purchase of Miss Clarkson’s shares, and 
consequently had his agent call on that young 
woman’s attorneys to negotiate for her stock. 

It so happened that this call took place on the 
very afternoon that Drew was having the de- 
lightful interview with Isabel which had resulted 
in her promise to be his wife, and Mr. Southward 
promptly mailed a request to Miss Clarkson to 
call at his office on “important business.” Curi- 
ously enough, she also received in the same mail 
on the following morning, a letter from Burt of 
similar import, and still more mystifying was a 
letter from Drew, which came in by a messenger 
at breakfast time, announcing his sudden depart- 
ure from town. Drew’s letter ran in this way: 
Dearest Isabel: 

Urgent business takes me from town early in the 
morning. It is morning now. I have not slept. I could 
not. The crisis of my life is at hand. I live in the thought 
of blessed yesterday. I have to go without seeing you 
again. You will receive a letter which will lead to un- 
derstanding. I want to tell you a thousand times that I 
love you. I kiss your pretty hands. Duncan. 


226 "Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER XIX. 

It was half-past eleven that morning when 
Miss Clarkson was shown into Burt’s private 
office, and it must be admitted that Burt’s face 
wore a look of anxiety, relieved only occasion- 
ally by amusement. 

“It is kind of you, Miss Clarkson, to be so 
prompt,” said Burt. “Please take this easy 
chair, for I hope to detain you some time, and I 
want you to be. comfortable.” 

“This seems to be my busy day, Mr. Burt, and 
I did not anticipate making a long call. I have 
been away for some days and have just had some 
business complications that make me want to 
think.” 

“I hope to give you food for thought myself.” 

“Proceed, then, I am ready.” 

“I will begin by surprising you. You are ac- 
quainted, I believe, with a certain man named 
Drew?” 

Isabel started and looked a trifle conscious. 
“Yes, Mr. Burt.” 

“Duncan Drew?” 

“Yes, Mr. Burt.” 

“Well, Miss Clarkson, Duncan Drew is ” 


“Four Months After Date” 227 


Burt hesitated for a second. Isabel leaned for- 
ward a little. 

“Duncan Drew is my closest friend.” 

“Really — how dreadfully funny! That is, I 
mean — why, you frightened me.” 

“Dune spent last evening with me, after dining 
with you, and I want you to permit me, Miss 
Clarkson, to be the first to congratulate you. 
Drew is the most thoroughgoing, all-around de- 
cent fellow I know.” 

“Your knowledge of this is so unexpected, 
Mr. Burt, that I am a little upset; but I will say 
that I expected no less of Mr. Drew than you 
have said.” 

“I consider you both remarkably fortunate in 
having found each other out, and it may surprise 
you to know that while these arrangements are 
of course all made in Heaven, a layman would 
say that I had been an instrument.” 

“Please explain.” 

“Duncan Drew is my partner.” 

“Mr. Burt! Impossible!” 

“Entirely possible and an absolute fact. He is 
the man whose interest you recently offered to 
purchase.” 

“How very, very remarkable! I can’t under- 
stand it. Does it show the narrowness of things, 
or only a wise providence?” 

“The sequel shows that Dune is a very much 
disturbed man, and I have driven him out of 
town while I explain.” 


228 “Four Months After Date” 


“Is it possible, Mr. Burt, that Mr. Drew can 
have anything to explain to me which he could 
not explain himself?” asked Isabel, with some 
dignity. 

“I have every confidence in his ability to ex- 
plain, and every confidence in his courage; but 
this matter concerns me about as much as it does 
you two, as perhaps you might see, if you 
thought.” 

“Oh, you mean about that stock?” 

“Yes; I sent Dune to you to negotiate with 
you for those Empire shares, and instead of this 
he fell in love with you, as I might have known 
he would, and came to my home last night and 
threw the whole deal up.” 

“I am struggling not to laugh, Mr. Burt; 
please tell me just what you mean.” 

“Why, he said he loved you from the first, 
and knew in fifteen minutes that he could never 
negotiate business with you, and so abandoned 
the original errand he was sent on, and follow- 
ing his own sweet will, captured the loveliest girl 
in town, and then calmly informed me last night 
that not only could he not do what was laid out 
for him to do, but he didn’t see how I could, 
for as his promised wife it was necessary you 
should know the whole programme, and know- 
ing it you more than ever wouldn’t sell, and the 
possession of your stock being essential, and the 
only solution being your co-operation, and your 
co-operation being expensive to my interest in 


“Four Months After Date” 229 

the scheme, he, not being in his usual judicious 
mood for most interesting reasons, said he would 
withdraw or sell out, or let it all go by the board, 
or anything except any further talk of business 
with you. Don’t you see?” 

“Oh, perfectly,” and Isabel laughed heartily. 

“I admit I told him that if he had succeeded in 
subjugating you in a week, I couldn’t see why 
he shouldn’t go right on and marry you out of 
hand in another week, and you then would have 
the stock in the family. He took me seriously, 
and came near going off in a huff. The dear old 
boy raved around until after midnight.” 

“Isn’t it all funny? What did you finally do?” 

“I told him some things that were going on in 
a certain quarter, and made him get out of town 
to attend to them and said I would have a talk 
with you, which I am having, though I seem to 
be doing all the talking.” 

“Did Duncan demur?” She said the name 
quite tenderly. 

“Yes, very strongly. He said, among ather 
things, that the righteous did not flee, but I 
showed him that he was needed elsewhere, and 
we could get along much better without him 
here, and finally got him to agree to go. He 
said he would write you a letter.” 

“He did, Mr. Burt, the most mysterious thing. 
When will he be back?” 

“Sorry, Miss Clarkson, but I can’t tell. I told 
him he mustn’t tell you where he was going until 


230 “Four Months After Date” 

I gave permission, and he finally agreed, pro- 
vided I would explain it to you. He didn’t like 
to do it, and I don’t blame him, but matters have 
taken such curious shape, and as you two have 
succeeded in incapacitating yourselves for busi- 
ness in concert, I am sure it will be better for 
him to be away until we can get plans arranged. 
It is hard, I know, for both of you to consider 
mundane things just now ; but I, as the wicked 
partner, demand it, and I hope you will not feel 
hard toward me for the course I have taken.” 

“I have every confidence in you, Mr. Burt, 
and I suppose you think me at least whimsical in 
refusing to do what you wished the other day. 
It was whimsical, but not malicious, and as it 
seems likely that no especial harm has come, I 
should think we could now — what do you call 
it? — make a deal.” 

Burt laughed. “It seems to be necessary, and 
I really think you may, if you will, play a very 
important part.” 

“I will do anything that you and Duncan think 
I should, Mr. Burt,” said Isabel, meekly. 

“I shall perhaps want you to do something 
that Dune may not like, though it will be as 
much in his interest as mine.” 

“Don’t suggest anything that may make 
trouble. I couldn’t think of displeasing Duncan. 
You won’t ask me to, will you?” pleaded Isabel. 

“I have to get acquainted with you all over 
again, I see, Miss Clarkson. You are an entirely 


“Four Months After Date” 231 

different person to-day from the haughty young 
woman who called the other day, though I ant 
bound to say it is, if possible, a more charming 
person who is here to-day. Drew is the luckiest 
of men to win your heart. I wouldn’t have you 
do anything that might place your joint happi- 
ness and faith in jeopardy.” 

“You must remember that the whole matter 
is unknown to me and very mysterious, and a 
communication I have received this morning 
through Mr. Southward, makes it still more so. 
What is there about those Empire shares that 
make so many people want to buy them? Are 
there opposing interests?” 

“Shall we talk solemn confidential business, 
Miss Clarkson?” 

“By all means, if you are willing.” 

“Very well, then. You must bring your best 
business thoughts to bear, and put sentiment 
aside for a few dry details. What do you know 
about the kind of business being done by the 
Empire Co.?” 

“Nothing, except that it is connected with rail- 
roads and is the same as your business here.” 

“Well, Dune and I conceived the plan of com- 
bining all the small concerns in the business, and 
then forcing the big Broadwater people to either 
make terms with us, or buy us out.” 

“How many small concerns are there?” 

“Four.” 

“What have you done?” 


232 “Four Months After Date” 

“Bought them all but yours.” 

“Have you really? It must have taken a lot of 
money.” 

“We have borrowed a good deal of banks. 
Dune put in a hundred thousand, and I con- 
tributed the stock and facilities I control. You 
cost us about seventy thousand by forcing me to 
pay up old Mr. Hamilton before I was ready to 
do so.” 

“I am awfully sorry now. I felt that I wanted 
to make you come to me and recognize my busi- 
ness ability, but I hope it didn’t really injure 
you. Can’t I do something now to help along?” 

“If everything goes smoothly and rapidly we 
will come out all right as it is; but there is no 
denying that if we succeed in antagonizing 
Broadwater, and have to carry our loans too 
long, and have also to undertake some large con- 
tracts which will take lots of money, we may 
very easily be wiped out before we can realize.” 

Miss Clarkson began to give evidence of ex- 
citement. 

“Please tell me all about it, so I will under- 
stand it. Who and what are the Broadwater 
people?” 

“The Broadwater Mfg. Co., of New York, and 
the Middle States Mfg. Co., of Buffalo; both 
owned and manipulated by young Jimmy Broad- 
water.” 

“Jimmy Broadwater? Why, 1 must know him 
a little; he is very rich?” 


“Four Months After Date” 233 

“He must be very rich indeed. I shouldn’t be 
surprised if he were worth several millions. The 
Broadwater Company is capitalized at two mill- 
ions, and he has all that stock except such as has 
been given for bribes to railroad officials, and he 
also owns outright the Middle States Company, 
capitalized at half a million, and this company 
makes an enormous profit every year, probably 
a hundred per cent. The Broadwater Co. only 
makes enough to pay a nice ten per cent, divi- 
dend and keep in first-class trim.” 

“How do you propose to reach them? by so- 
liciting their customers?” 

“No, not at first. There is a big contract to 
be given out for switches and signals and brakes 
and couplings, by a new railroad company, that 
has just acquired by lease several small systems 
and joined them together. The new company 
is very strong, and the man who can swing the 
order our way must be given a big rake-off.” 

“What do you mean by ‘rake-off,’ Mr. Burt?” 

“Either a big percentage or a block of stock. 
We shall try the lattter plan, as we have arranged 
to capitalize our combined companies at two and 
a-half millions, and if your stock goes in, it will 
be easy to make a very formidable opposition to 
Broadwater, for with this big contract falling to 
us we can make nearly a million out of it.” 

“Oh, this is just delightful! I am getting 
frightfully excited; but what is Duncan doing 
now?” 


234 “Four Months After Date” 

“He is to make what headway he can with the 
railroad official referred to, and I rely on his 
ability to pull things through with him rapidly; 
but, it may be, he is too big a man for Dune to 
handle, though I don’t believe it for a minute. 
Your future husband, Miss Clarkson, is a re- 
markable fellow.” 

Isabel looked pleased and happy, then grew a 
trifle grave. 

“Don’t you think, Mr. Burt, it is hardly right 
to do business in this way, by bribing an official? 
Isn’t there some other way to do it?” 

“Absolutely no other way, and as it is all part 
of big game, it doesn’t go by the name of bribery, 
it is called ‘securing co-operation.’ You needn’t 
feel badly about it; the gun is pointed at Broad- 
water, and these are his own methods. We can 
scare him to death besides, I think, by getting a 
sentiment started among his stockholders, who 
have been given Broadwater Co. stock for the 
same kind of co-operation, that the Broadwater 
Co. is entitled to much higher profits, and open 
their eyes to the fact that the Middle States Co., 
which means Broadwater alone, is making all the 
money.” 

“If this is the way business is done, I suppose 
it is all right, but I didn’t know about it. I can 
see how you might be willing to do things this 
way in order to make a point against Mr. Broad- 
water, and I really feel that, if there is anything 
I can do, I should like to help.” 


“Four Months After Date” 235 

“When Mr. Southward told you somebody 
else wanted to buy your Empire shares, what did 
you tell him?” 

“I told him I wouldn’t sell them. I was will- 
ing to fight you a little myself, just for the fun of 
it, but I wouldn’t be mean enough to make a 
little money by selling the shares to any one else 
and injuring you permanently. But how did 
you find out about this, Mr. Burt?” 

“We have to keep watch all around now, Miss 
Clarkson.” 

“Does Duncan know about it?” 

“Yes, I told him last night; but he felt sure 
you would do just as you have done, and wasn’t 
uneasy, except for the methods by which the 
business hopes and plans might be kept from 
interfering between you two.” 

“Well, Mr. Burt, what do you want me to do?” 

“I will tell you. Dune must have a clear field 
to kill his man, and I want to keep Broadwater 
here for the next two weeks. Couldn’t you man- 
age to negotiate with him for that long and keep 
him occupied?” 

Isabel’s first impression was that she was hor- 
rified; she thought in silence for some moments. 

“Ought I to do that, Mr. Burt?” 

“It would insure success, Miss Clarkson.” 

“How do you know it was Mr. Broadwater 
that wanted the stock?” 

“From the way it was presented to Mr. South- 
ward. It will be necessary for you to have Mr. 


236 “Four Months After Date” 

Southward make the agent admit that he is act- 
ing for some one else, and say that you will deal 
only with the principal, and when this is com- 
municated to Broadwater, he will take great per- 
sonal pleasure in carrying on his negotiations 
with you direct.” 

“I dislike it very much, but I will do it, Mr. 
Burt. You are sure you can make Duncan un- 
derstand?” 

“Absolutely certain, Miss Clarkson.” 

“I rely on you fully, Mr. Burt. Shall we talk 
any more about my shares?” 

“It is only right that we should have a full 
understanding. How would it please you to 
have them calculated?” 

“At the same price you were willing to pay 
for the others, and I want you to let me help 
provide money in addition. I want to do my full 
share and something more to pay for all the 
trouble I have caused.” 

“If you will give me your written consent, with 
Mr. Southward’s approval, that I shall use the 
shares and the assets of the Empire Company as 
I see fit, for the interests of W. S. Burt & Co., it 
will more than likely be unnecessary for you to 
furnish any further money. Still, we may need 
it, and if we are after all to be partners, you 
may be called on. Are you sure you can lose a 
considerable sum without serious inconve- 
nience?” 

“I seem to have an absurd lot of money, Mr. 


“Four Months After Date” 237 

Burt. Papa was very wealthy, and I shall want to 
provide all that is necessary to make the plans 
you and Duncan are working on successful. I 
think it is all perfectly delightful — except that I 
do not exactly approve of all the methods/' she 
added, with a little frown. “Do not misunder- 
stand me. I do not propose that you shall lessen 
your interest by taking me into partnership. I 
shall want you to have your half just the same, 
and if we are successful, Duncan and I will have 
the other half." 

It would have made Duncan Drew’s heart 
very light and joyous if he had heard Isabel 
make this statement, she did it so innocently and 
with such absolute candor. 

“My admiration for you, Miss Clarkson, is so 
great that every generous thing you say and 
do I seem to be expecting, but I can never con- 
sent to such a division. When 
we finish up, we will all go over 
the matter and settle it. I shall 
hope to make enough to pay 
my debts and enable me to de- 
vote myself to my family for 
the rest of my life. Sometime I 
will explain to you how vital to 
me the success of this enter- 
prise is. I cannot do so now, 
besides, I have kept you too long already." 

“And Duncan’s address?" 

“Arlington Hotel, Washington. Miss Clark- 



238 “Four Months After Date” 

son, one moment — you say you are already 
slightly acquainted with Broadwater?” 

“Yes.” 

“Am I putting Dune’s interests to any test by 
asking you to receive Broadwater? The man 
has millions.” 

“You will have to ask my pardon for the 
thought. I know Mr. Broadwater quite well, 
and his millions cannot make him attractive to 
me. Don’t add to the ignominy I feel at the per- 
formance of the task you have set me by distrust- 
ing me.” 

“I am on my knees, Miss Clarkson.” 

“Is our plot now complete?” 

“I think so, and a big load is off my heart. 
Leave Dune in some uncertainty a while yet, 
will you?” 

“Oh, I don’t want to. Must I?” 

“It will do him good, and you can make it 
all up to him afterward.” 

“Good-bye, Mr. Burt.” 

“Good-bye, and my blessing, Miss Clarkson.” 


“Four Months After Date” 239 


CHAPTER XX. 

For about an hour after Miss Clarkson with- 
drew from Burt’s office, that gentleman pon- 
dered, figured, and walked the floor. Then he 
put on his hat and went out for lunch, and 
a little before two o’clock, took a walk around 
the banks, making some casual inquiry of each, 
merely to keep himself alive as a familiar figure, 
and one that did not mean discount every time 
it appeared. A little later Burt astonished his 
stenographer by dictating a somewhat remarka- 
ble letter to Drew. Burt’s business correspond- 
ence, whatever his oral conversation might be, 
was usually very solemn and finished, and no 
semblance of slang was permitted. Choice 
English only went into his letter-book, and he 
took special pride in constructing his letters with 
terseness, exactness and style. The letter that 
surprised Miss Pothooks was as follows: 

Dear Dunc: 

From the interview I have just had with the inter- 
esting person, who shall be nameless here, it looks as 
though we were going to win out on the whole ball o’ 
wax. If you run your man to earth and kill him dead 
enough, we will come in on a walk. It is impossible 


240 “Four Months After Date" 


for me to write you all that took place at the delight- 
ful session just closed; but for all-around brickiness, 
give me the honorable Miss Blankety Blank. She had, 
it seems, quite a business mail this morning, and your 
mysterious departure and equally mysterious letter 
stampeded her a good deal. Notwithstanding this, she 
glided in here as calm as a Jersey millpond, and lis- 
tened to my tale with only appropriate indications of 
interest, until I began to unfold your villainy, when 
she threw off reserve and warmed up. I talked myself 
hoarse for an hour, and I have a partner now as is a 
partner, and if you don’t approve of my methods, you 
may go to the deuce, for the winning cards are in the 
hands of the new confederate, and unlimited funds to 
back them. 

I have a letter from Seymour this morning, in which 
he tells me he has a list of the proper stockholders of 
Jimmy’s company, and will start some gossip going 
as soon as I send him word. I also have a plan for 
interesting Jimmy during your stay in the Capitol 
City, and keeping him out of your way, so get in your 
very finest work, and don’t let a few shares of stock 
stand in the way of success. 

With the Pittsburg company capitalized at half a 
million, and stock ready for issue at any time, and the 
whole push ready to be absorbed into a big two-and- 
a-half million outfit, a couple of hundred thousand in 
the kitty, and our notes three months away, we ought 
to be able, with your genius, to pull things through in 
great shape. 

I know you are dying to hear more about the talk I 
had with your radiant friend, but I decline to put any 
more of it on paper, not even her sentiments toward 
yourself. I will only say that I have told a big string 



“Jt is work I am proud to do. 


( See Page 212.) 





“Four Months After Date” 243 


of lies about you, and you had better be careful to 
consult with me before you have any conversation 
with her, or write her anything except things I know 
nothing about. 

Your friendship with me has helped you a lot, for I 
have carefully made my own probity a strong feature 
of the presentment, and if you ever get back to favor, 
it will be owing to the momentum of the procession 
whose moving force is myself and which is carrying 
you along. Speaking of procession, I think I remem- 
ber telling you what Ellis said about a certain party 
and a band wagon; well, the prediction is coming true, 
the party is on the wagon and looks extremely well. 

. Yours truly, 

William S. Burt. 

To Duncan Drew, Esq., 

Arlington Hotel, 

Washington, D. C. 

I gave your friend your address. 

Three days later Burt, armed with the proper 
authority, issued notes as follows: 


Empire Co. to W. S. B. & Co., 

4 mos., 

$25,000 

“ " “ W. S. Burt, 

4 mos., 

4,000 

“ " “ Eastern Co., 

4 mos., 

12,000 

“ “ “ Hamilton Co., 

4 mos., 

12,000 

Hamilton Co. to Empire Co., 

4 mos., 

15,000 

Eastern Co. “ 

4 mos., 

12,000 

total of eighty thousand 

dollars’ worth of 


paper, all falling due on the same day. 

These notes he put in his pocket, and taking 
the easy places first, he called at Fowler’s and put 
up the Hamilton $15,000 and the Eastern $12,- 
000, to the credit of the Empire Co. with com- 


244 “Four Months After Date” 

parative comfort and little argument. Next he 
went to Benson, where the Eastern Co. already 
had a discount of $27,000, and after a little gen- 
eral talk and the added endorsement of W. S. 
Burt & Co., this Empire note for $12,000 was 
also credited up. 

When he went into Cromwell’s with the Em- 
pire notes of $25,000 and $12,000, and handed 
them to Mr. Cromwell, that good citizen went 
over to a little drawer full of cards, and taking 
out one, attached to which there was some 
memoranda, returned and sat down. 

“Now, let me look at this a moment, Mr. 
Burt ; you said you would want about a hundred 
thousand discount in the name of W. S. Burt 
& Co., with Hamilton endorsement, but you 
neglected to say that the Hamilton Co. would 
want something additional. Am I right?” 

“Such neglect had no motive and was not in- 
tentional. I did not for an instant suppose you 
would question the right of the Hamilton Co. to 
any reasonable amount of accommodation.” 

“Neither do I, and the best evidence of it is 
that I have put up for you already in the Hamil- 
ton account twenty-four thousand, twelve of it 
Eastern Co., and the other twelve your Pittsburg 
company. Now how do you propose to have 
this paper here credited?” 

“The $25,000 to W. S. Burt & Co. and the 
$12,000 to the Hamilton Co. Following the line 
of your argument, Mr. Cromwell, it is rather 


“Four Months After Date” 245 

difficult to foresee everything in the handling 
of matters like I have in hand, but I really 
haven’t the slightest expectation of using this 
money. All our stock is bought and paid for, 
and I merely want to feel that we are well heeled 
as we approach the final turns. You will see, by 
reference to your yellow card there, that the Burt 
& Co. balance is nearly forty thousand, and the 
Hamilton balance nearly twenty thousand, mak- 
ing not only a profitable basis to loan on, but in- 
dicating that I am telling the truth. After you 
credit these amounts up, I figure that I shall be 
able to leave here with you seventy thousand in 
the W. S. Burt & Co. account and thirty thou- 
sand in the Hamilton account. I won’t guaran- 
tee to leave them at these figures permanently, 
but I see nothing that will require any of the 
money before the maturity of the paper.” 

“I’ll pass them into the basket,” said Crom- 
well. “By the way, how much are you going to 
make out of this move you are engineering?” 

“Well, Dune and I ought to divide up at least 
half a million net between us.” 

“Indeed! And how long will you be about 
it?” 

“Well, my partner is one of the smoothest vil- 
lains for an honest man you ever saw. He is 
working at one end and I at the other. I 
took a big hurdle a couple of days ago, and he’s 
making headway at his end. I should think it 
might be a possible thing to pull this out in two 


246 “Four Months After Date” 


months more, on the lines we are following. I 
may as well say, Mr. Cromwell, that if it is longer 
delayed, it may be necessary for us to under- 
take the performance of a contract for a certain 
railroad, far beyond our capital. Will you help 
us?” 

“Come and see me, and treat me right in the 
meanwhile,” replied Cromwell smiling. 

Burt next called on his old friend Peter Emer- 
son, and handed him the $4,000 note of the Em- 
pire Co. 

“I thought you had given me all you had of 
this, Billy,” said Emerson. “Eve got $25,000 of 
your paper here now. How are you selling this 
variety to-day — by the pound?” 

“Uncle Peter, you may not know it, but I am 
bringing you a very snug piece of business. I 
have kept my balance at $12,000 and intend to 
run it up even with the discounts in a day or 
two; but you needn’t put this four in unless you 
want to.” 

“If you don’t want it, why do you bring it to 
me?” 

“Just for a showing. I want to show a certain 
amount of cash on hand. It may surprise you 
to know that I can within an hour bring you cer- 
tified checks for over two hundred thousand dol- 
lars. Oh, I’m flying high, but you can trust to 
me to see that the proper plums come your way, 
Uncle Peter. Don’t take this in if you haven’t 
lots of money.” 


“Four Months After Date” 247 

“Well, write your name on it, Billy,” said Em- 
erson. 

It would be unprofitable to follow the details 
of the next few weeks, but the results gave evi- 
dence of the finished work of capable and pains- 
taking men. Once the plan of campaign was 
fully mapped out, Burt said to himself, as he had 
said on many previous occasions in manipu- 
lating his own finances, “Every one of these 
bricks must fall sidewise and clear everything 
else; if any of them touch each other, the whole 
row will come down in a heap.” Burt’s famil- 
iarity with situations, where every step must be 
won or the whole thing fall, helped him to clearly 
determine the methods to be followed, and put- 
ting his indomitable energy at it, and relying 
fully on the unusual business capacity and per- 
sonal magnetism of Drew, together with the 
minor but essential aid in certain lines furnished 
by Seymour and Ellis, he saw the whole move- 
ment progressing rapidly along its prescribed 
groove with satisfaction, but not surprise. He 
had always said that the energy and finesse he 
used up in keeping out of the insolvency court, 
if properly directed, would make a fortune, and 
now that he, for the first time in his life, had as- 
sociated with him a man capable of performing 
these difficult business tasks that successful men 
cope with, he knew he was going to win. In 
Duncan Drew, Burt had found the partner who 
could provide those things he himself lacked, 


248 “Four Months After Date” 


and with the substantial sums of money they 
had as a nucleus, the Clarkson complication 
simplified and the confidence of several good 
banks, this somewhat extraordinary team were 
difficult to beat. 

For the first time in years Burt’s mind was free 
from the worries of current finance, and could be 
devoted entirely to the big proposition they had 
essayed; consequently he scrutinized it and stud- 
ied it in all its bearings, and left no loopholes for 
delay or disaster. 

Broadwater, on the other hand, feeling abso- 
lutely secure in his possession of the field, had 
only received his first intimation of a significant 
stir among the small fry when he found the Pitts- 
burg company slip from him, while he was think- 
ing desultorily about acquiring it. 

When he found that nearly all the smaller 
companies were in the hands of one man, he was 
a little moved; but having never seen any evi- 
dence of aggressiveness or of substantial back- 
ing in this man’s previous operations, he merely 
thought that to secure a slice of the foundation 
of the opposition would be a sufficient setback to 
keep them busy for the present, so he negotiated 
for the Clarkson shares and waited. 

When it was too late he found that the big S., 
J. & Y. railway contract had slipped from him, 
and when this was followed by mysterious ac- 
tivity on the part of his railroad stockholders in 
inquiring about his Middle States Co., he began 


“Four Months After Date” 249 


to be alarmed in earnest, for while he had a for- 
tune outside of his business, sufficient to keep 
actual danger many leagues away, the menace to 
his interests in the concerted action from inside 
and out, showed the working of a master hand, 
and of course the business must be protected 
from such encroachment as now seemed immi- 
nent; and so the excitement on both sides grew 
apace. 

While it is true that Burt’s business energies 
were now all directed toward these heavy opera- 
tions, it is a fact that his home affairs were 
getting into such a state that the anxiety they 
caused him would have been sufficient in another 
man, unaccustomed to constant watchfulness, to 
so distract his thoughts and judgment that busi- 
ness would become impossible. In Burt, the 
condition which he had seen coming so long 
spurred him to increased effort to hasten the 
consummation of the business deal on which so 
much depended, and he found himself frequently 
wondering whether he could stave off the ap- 
proaching domestic climax long enough to res- 
cue anything but the fragments. 

The undercurrent of nervous irritation which 
the presence of so many disturbing elements in 
his home created and kept alive, had now, on 
more than one occasion, taken definite form in 
the shape of a family jar. The peculiarities of 
the five people-in-law, and each, of course had 
peculiarities, were brought out with increasing 


250 “Four Months After Date” 

clearness by the Burt kids, who were no respect- 
ers of persons, places or things, and words were 
spoken in the house and before the children, that 
had no place in polite society or in a well-regu- 
lated household. The atmosphere of nervous 
haste, surcharged with a large percentage of ill 
health, brought on by overwork and insufficient 
rest, had brought out in Alice Burt a sharpness 
of speech, and a readiness as well, that was a 
continual surprise and grief to Billy, who, wholly 
unfamiliar with scenes, found himself actually 
participating in them merely by the fact of his 
presence and his unwillingness to commit the 
cowardice of going away until the storm blew 
over. He knew Alice would need his sympathy 
when she was herself again, and he wanted to be 
on hand. 

No cause for dissension between Alice and 
Billy ever arose except the ever-present habit of 
overwork. Billy could not be satisfied to see it 
continue without protest, for it was destroying 
all the hopes he and Alice had of future happi- 
ness ; it was working up a state of mind and tem- 
per which was being reflected in the children, 
and producing an effect on Alice that made 
breakdown certain. 

At times the tension was so great that Billy 
wondered whether he was himself insane, or 
whether everybody else was. Every expedient 
was tried that could be approached without up- 
heaval. Trips were planned and executed by va- 


“Four Months After Date” 251 


rious members of the household, which fre- 
quently thinned the ranks to what seemed easy 
proportions, and seasons of comparative quiet, 
lasting as long as a fortnight would follow, cre- 
ating in Billy the hope that things were going to 
mend. Alice would make every effort toward 
self-control, and unpleasant subjects would be 
avoided. Something like the old good-fellowship 
would seem to have come to them, and Billy 
would perhaps, thinking the time was ripe to try 
to keep the recovered ground from slipping 
away, make some suggestions about the future 
that would almost instantly precipitate matters 
into confusion once more ; and so it was forced 
continually upon his perception that a complete 
simplifying of the situation must be accom- 
plished before any permanent improvement 
could result, and simplifying the situation meant 
the possession of a good deal of money, for he 
was under financial obligations to both sides, and 
must needs make ample provision for all hands 
or settle up, and so it drifted back to a question 
of Burt’s absurd methods, and he strove all the 
harder to make his big business enterprise 
succeed. 

Burt at this time usually worked at his desk 
in his den at home until late nearly every night, 
and in consequence rose rather late in the morn- 
ing. Alice always rose first and dressed the chil- 
dren, and from the time she began until break- 
fast time it was a very interesting performance 


252 “Four Months After Date” 

indeed, consisting mainly of haste and threats. 
Billy from his dressing-room would be within 
convenient earshot, and one morning when the 
riot was at its height, he said, “What’s the mat- 
ter, Alice? Got a note to pay to-day?” 

“Yes, I always have a note to pay and every- 
thing else to pay. No one takes any responsi- 
bility in this house but me, and these children are 
so trying they just about drive me wild. I wish 
I was dead, and I guess you wish so, too.” 

“How can you say such things to me, Alice?” 

“Oh, I don’t know, Billy. I don’t suppose 
you care very much any more what I say. Here, 
Harold Burt, if you don’t put your shoes on this 
instant, I’ll about skin you, and you too, Alice, 
you good-for-nothing little imp!” 

Billy retreated to the back room, and heard 
Alice’s remarks being continued to the children : 
“I wish all the children were in the bottom of the 
sea, and I wish I was there, too. It’s nothing 
but work, work every minute of the day, from 
morning till night. I get so tired of you I don’t 
know what to do, and everybody finds fault with 
me. Everything that goes wrong in this house 
is my fault. I guess if some people would take 
care of you children for a day or two, they’d find 
out, you little imps ! Turn around here and let 
me tie your hair, Alice, and stand still. I don’t 
like you a bit, and never did. There, how do 
you like that?” The sound of a crying child fol- 
lowed, and a moment later Billy saw Alice with 


“Four Months After Date” 253 

the little girl in her arms, calling her endearing 
names and herself a “cross old mamma,” and, 
“There, let me wipe your eyes, little sweetheart, 
and run along down to grandma.” 

Billy went silently down to breakfast, and no 
sign was apparent there of anything unusual. 
He ate his light morning meal without a word, 
kissed Alice good-bye without a word, and went 
off to business. 


2 54 


“Four Months After Date’’ 


CHAPTER XXL 

That afternoon Burt was detained downtown 
until after dinner time, and as he reached his 
home and started to pass up the steps, he was 
surprised to see Alice come hurriedly out of the 
door, rush down past him without apparently 
seeing him, and walk rapidly down the street. 
He noticed an expression on her face that 
startled him — a haggard, almost a hunted, look, 
and he turned and followed her without a word. 
Alice was walking very fast, and Burt gradually 
quickened his pace to keep her in easy view, 
crossing to the other side of the street so that he 
might not appear to any observers to be follow- 
ing. Down the long block she went, and as she 
turned the corner she glanced back over her 
shoulder and hurried on. Burt followed quickly 
to the corner and seeing he had gained ground, 
walked more deliberately about a hundred feet 
behind. At the next corner but one, Alice 
turned up the cross street, her pace slackened 
somewhat, and Burt gradually overtook her. 
When he was but a few feet behind, Alice 
turned, saw him, and stopped. As Billy came 
up, she was standing in the glare of a street lamp, 


“Four Months After Date” 255 

and a wild, unnatural gleam was apparent in her 
eye as she said, fiercely: 

“Why are you following me?” 

“I was just taking a walk along here, Alice; 
let’s move on.” 

“You go home, Billy Burt, and let me alone.” 

“Not quite ready to go in yet, Alice; let’s walk 
on to the park and sit down.” 

“I don’t want to sit down, I don’t want to ever 
sit down again. I don’t ever want to see anyone. 
I want to get away from everybody. You go 
home and attend to your children.” 

Billy walked along beside her without a word. 
Arrived at the corner, they paused a moment, 
and Alice again told him to “go home and leave 
her alone.” 

“I’m not going in until you do, Alice.” 

“Well, I’m not going in at all. I’m never 
going into that house again. I’ve stood it as 
long as I can, and I’m not going back there any 
more.” 

“Come out in the park and sit down, Alice.” 
Billy seemed perfectly calm, but a great fear was 
struggling at his heart. “Come out here and tell 
me all about it.” 

An hour later they walked slowly out of the 
park gate and around to their home, Burt sup- 
porting Alice up the stairs to an unoccupied 
room, gradually calming her, until, partially dis- 
robed, she fell asleep. 

It was an anxious night for Burt. His affairs 


256 “Four Months After Date” 

down town had progressed to the crucial point, 
requiring the exercise of every faculty to carry 
them successfully through, and here was a situ- 
ation demanding instant attention. From the 
few words dropped by Alice, who for the most 
part had maintained a stubborn silence, he 
gleaned that her day had been a series of small 
complications, and that she had been taken to 
task for her words to him in the morning, which 
somebody had overheard, and when Harold had 
finally had a slight accident making his nose 
bleed, somebody had made an unkind remark, 
and Alice had fled from the house, completely 
distracted. 

Billy went in, looked at the children, and saw 
that Alice’s mother had attended to them and 
was sleeping on the sofa. Then he went down 
and locked up the house, and afterward sat down 
in darkness in the room where Alice was, look- 
ing steadily out into the night and meditating. 

It would be a neck-and-neck race, and the 
home matters would culminate first, unless 
something were done at once. He was fighting 
for his wife’s reason now, and he knew it, and 
he thought over every expedient that he could 
bring to mind ; but he knew any plan to separate 
Alice from the children would not be possible, 
unless he and no one else assumed the task, and 
with his affairs in the shape they were, he could 
not possibly undertake to leave his business. He 
had tried repeatedly to get Alice to take the chil- 


“Four Months After Date” 257 

dren to the country, and she had steadily refused 
to do so unless he would accompany them, which 
he could not do. After a long time Alice par- 
tially wakened and sat up. Burt spoke to her 
at once to reassure her. 

“Where am I, Billy? It’s so dark/’ 

“Up in Jennie’s room, dear. Shall I light up 
a little?” 

“I wish you would, Billy; everything seems so 
strange. How did we come to be up here?” 

“You weren’t feeling well, Alice, and I 
brought you here for quiet.” 

“Something dreadful has happened, I know, 
Billy. What is it? I feel so strange; sit here by 
me.” 

“Nothing of importance, dear, has occurred. 
Everything is all right. You had better lie down 
again and sleep.” 

“Who is with the children?” 

“Mother, and she’s sleeping, so you lie quietly 
and get some rest.” 

“Why, you haven’t been to bed at all, Billy, 
how is this?” 

“I have been sitting here thinking, Alice, but 
I’ll lie down now.” 

“I know I have been doing something awful. 
I haven’t been myself all day. I remember Har- 
old hurting himself, after that it is a blank. How 
long ago was that?” 

“Not long, Alice. Don’t talk about it. It’s all 
right. You must get some rest, and if you can 


258 “Four Months After Date’’ 

manage to keep from getting tired out for a few 
days longer, I shall have my matters so arranged 
that we can go away together somewhere and 
have a long rest.” 

“You have been telling me that for years, 
Billy.” 

“I know, Alice, but now it is different. I am 
at the turning of the ways ana we shall very 
soon have time to be happy, happy like we used 
to be before ” 

“Before the children came, Billy, are you 
sure?” 

“I feel very positive, dear, but we won’t make 
any plans about it until it is all settled. You 
lie down and sleep.” 

“Yes, Billy, I will. If I’ve done anything aw- 
fullly bad, will you forgive me?” 

“You haven’t done anything, Alice.” 

Burt had one controlling purpose in life, and 
that purpose was to make Alice happy and be 
happy with her himself. During the period of 
their friendship, prior to marriage, he convinced 
himself that this woman would walk with him 
right down into the jaws of hell, and count no 
trial too severe, if met together. He had pic- 
tured to himself a long life, through which they 
would travel in full accord, and with that accord 
always uppermost as the greatest good, the inci- 
dents of their life, however difficult to cope with, 
would yet be only incidents, and prove no 
stumbling block to their happiness in each oth- 


“Four Months After Date” 259 


er’s love. The possibility of a harsh word or a 
harsh thought had never occurred to Burt, and 
when the first harsh word was spoken, it stunned 
him. He had failed to account for the revolution 
brought about by the experience of motherhood. 
No one warned him of the incessant strain of the 
care and rearing of children. He was unpre- 
pared for any change in Alice’s attitude toward 
him, and she, perhaps, was unconscious that any 
change had come. Moreover, the fact that a 
harsh word had been spoken seemed to have 
been soon forgotten, and things had gone on as 
though nothing had happened, except for the 
unending strain of the presence of babyhood, 
with a wofully exaggerated sense of the import- 
ance thereof, constantly accentuated by people- 
in-law. 

Billy might, perhaps, have grown used to the 
precedence of the little interlopers, and might 
in time have accepted the new order of things, 
in which the devotion of Alice, which he had 
hoped always to monopolize, was extended to 
them, and even been satisfied to be second in her 
heart, if she could have retained her health and 
strength and happy disposition; but when he 
found that not only had he traded off his sweet- 
heart wife, and received in return a mother for 
his children, but that all effort to conserve her 
physical health and mental deliberateness had 
failed of their purpose, he felt constrained to cry 
out against fate as taking from him the one good 


260 “Four Months After Date” 


thing he coveted, his perfect joy, for which no 
compensation could ever come. 

The very condition of things which took Alice 
from Burt was unfitting her for the management 
of her children. Her conception of her duty 
toward them had so impressed itself upon her 
that she grew critical of others less punctilious 
toward their children’s physical welfare, and this 
spirit of criticism led gradually to other lines, 
and became exaggerated by nervousness and an 
unhealthy point of view, and so Burt saw his 
whole domestic fabric tottering, and he with 
either insufficient courage or insufficient will 
power, or perhaps lack of ingenuity, stood pow- 
erless to avert the collapse which meant the loss 
of Alice’s reason, and the shattering of every- 
body’s chance of happiness. 

His only hope was in so fortifying himself 
with leisure and money that he could, by de- 
voting himself absolutely to Alice, entice her 
away from the children long enough to in- 
duce her to take interest in the good things 
of life, and by putting behind him once and 
for all the destroying worry about money, 
procure for them both, rest and peace, and then 
by a rearrangement of the domestic establish- 
ment on simpler lines, with the aunts and great- 
aunts and grandparents all independently 
housed, hope for a continuance of the good work 
so begun. But until he could disentangle him- 
self from the web of obligations by which he was 


“Four Months After Date” 261 


surrounded, and provide ample means for the 
future, the case looked hopeless, and he contem- 
plated the results of his own foolish stewardship 
of his chances with strong criticism of himself. 
In fact, he realized that his methods had always 
been so different from those of any happy people 
that while he had never felt that any contentment 
could grow out of a condition in which every day 
the most rigid economy was practised, he was, 
after all, ready to admit that no one whom he 
knew intimately had made such shipwreck of 
hope as he had made, and was now prepared to 
believe there was less danger in the sordid and 
constant self-denial found in domestic economy 
than in his more liberal view, without personal 
leisure to help with the problems. 

He ought to have seen that Alice was more in- 
clined for system than selfishness, and measured 
his garment according to the cloth, and yet this 
singular man, while admitting the fallacy of his 
own theories, as shown by the results, could not 
in retrospect discover a place where a different 
course could have been logically followed with- 
out great discomfort to somebody. Alice was 
continually manufacturing beautiful things for 
herself and her children out of seemingly impos- 
sible and valueless material, but would offset this 
demonstration of efficiency by a burst of gener- 
osity, which she would bestow on some one, 
amounting to much more than she had saved by 
her capableness and thrift. She, however, could 


262 “Four Months After Date” 


not be made to see that every hour devoted to a 
zeal too narrow to comprehend the require- 
ments of her future was casting the children’s 
bread to the dogs. 

Billy had gone over all this to himself so 
many times, without ever bringing himself to 
condemn any one but himself, that he was now 
prepared to consider himself solely responsible 
for all the disaster that was upon him. But 
was disaster upon him? Could he not argue 
it away long enough for the fruition of his 
business plans? It seemed to him, as he lay that 
night thinking of the desolation of his life, if the 
strain under which Alice was suffering should re- 
sult in a permanent alienation of her mental fac- 
ulties, that he must thenceforth eke out his days 
in sackcloth, and he strove hard for some plan 
by which the next few days might be insured 
against disturbance. Even if he could get Alice 
away alone, she wouldn't stay more than two 
or three days without the children, barely long 
enough to recover from the fatigue of travel, 
and go with her himself, he could not. Then, 
again, if in her absence any trifling thing 
should happen to the children, she would be so 
unstrung by it that there was no telling what 
the results would be. If he urged everybody 
else to go and leave her there alone with the 
children, in the state she was in, it would 
be bad judgment indeed, for she was unfit for 
any responsibility for some days. If he made a 


“Four Months After Date” 263 

personal appeal to every member of the family 
to co-operate for a specific number of days to 
keep absolute peace, each individual would take 
it as a personal insult, and a condition worse 
than the present would result. He finally con- 
cluded that nothing could be done, except to do 
all he personally could to watch the trend of 
things, and trust in God. 

The ways of Providence are inscrutable. It 
is therefore impracticable for human beings to 
sit in judgment on the Infinite. To a great many 
of us it is a comfort to say, after we have ex- 
hausted our effort, “Thy will be done/’ There 
are others who rebel at what seems harsh treat- 
ment, and dare to think good results might have 
followed equally well, if milder means had been 
employed. Life at best, in these hustling days, 
is a hard struggle. There are many who answer 
the eternal question, “Is life worth living?” by 
an emphatic negative, and yet among the natural 
gifts to which flesh is heir is that unspeakable 
clinging to life, despite the fact that many of its 
incidents are harder to bear than the contempla- 
tion or the actual agony of death itself. So true 
is this that it is boldly announced as evidence of 
insanity if one despairing creature overcomes the 
habit of existence, and with the argument that 
life was thrust upon him without his consent, and 
in consequence the command, “Thou shalt not 
kill” not operative against himself, cuts the 
thread that ties him to his misery, passing thence 


264 “Four Months After Date” 


to the spirit world, whence no report can ever 
come to human sense. The inclination to obe- 
dience is therefore very strongly implanted in 
our breasts, if in the midst of apparently insur- 
mountable difficulties we brace ourselves boldly 
toward them and struggle on with an indefinable 
hope. Then again, the call to duty with many of 
us completely hides the exit, whose open door is 
the bare bodkin, and we urge ourselves forward, 
in the expectation that by our efforts some good 
may come to those whom circumstance has left 
to our care, and so, for the most part, we bear 
the ills we have with a degree of meekness and 
seek not to know the reason why our lives seem 
harder than our fellows. 

There is nothing harder to bear, for the con- 
scientious man, than the knowledge that the re- 
sult of his mistakes is visited on others, and that 
he has become powerless to avert from them the 
effect of his folly. Frequently it takes more than 
human intellect to place the responsibility for 
the trials of life ; hence, the criticism of Provi- 
dence, and sometimes it seems true that, though 
no one has sinned, the trial is upon us just the 
same, and the wisdom of Providence is again 
called in question by those to whom the burden 
seems greater than they can bear. 

Two days later, when Alice was just about ap- 
parently recovered from the exhaustion caused 
by the incidents described in the forepart of 
this chapter, Harold, the joy of her heart, was 


“Four Months After Date” 265 


taken down with a fever which no medical skill 
could break for three whole days. A more effi- 
cient nurse than Alice could not be found, yet on 
the physician’s demand, supported earnestly by 
Burt, a trained nurse was se- 
cured, a most capable person, 
whose devotion to directions was 
absolute and whose tact was 
marvellous. The temperature of 
the plucky little fellow, ranging 
for the three days several de- 
grees above the normal, dropped 
on the fourth. It looked as 
though the crisis was over, and 
still no justifying cause for the 
fever declared itself. Alice had 
been nearly distracted, for 
though she would hardly have 
owned it, she fairly worshipped 
Harold, and every separate yellow hair of his 
pretty head was much dearer to her than her 
own life. 

The excitement of the boy’s illness, acting upon 
her previously wrought-up condition, kept the 
tension at the breaking point, and when the fever 
lessened, Alice was completely exhausted, men- 
tally and physically. Burt had done what he 
could to take the responsibility, but the culmina- 
tion of matters downtown was at hand, and he 
couldn’t neglect them. He was in daily con- 
sultation with the agents of the Broadwater 



266 “Four Months After Date” 


people and with Drew, Seymour and Ellis. The 
time had run along so that some of their three- 
months’ notes had matured and been met, and it 
was necessary to get the final negotiations com- 
pleted in time to handle their four-months’ obli- 
gations, or begin operations to take care of and 
renew them. Every day brought them nearer 
to a settlement in the shape of a large cash pay- 
ment, and a big block of guaranteed stock, and 
Burt was in the thick of the fight, downtown all 
day and uptown all night. 


“Four Months After Date” 267 


CHAPTER XXII. 

About midnight of the fourth day of Harold’s 
illness, Burt was sitting by the boy’s bedside fan- 
ning him softly, when he noticed, in the dim 
light, what seemed like a deeper flush on the lit- 
tle fellow’s face. The nurse was lying down. 
Without waking anyone, he secured the clinical 
thermometer and took the temperature. When 
he read the record made by the quicksilver he 
found it 105^, and he stood for an instant ap- 
palled at the crisis now upon them. Hastily call- 
ing the nurse, he told her, and for confirmation 
had her take the temperature again, with the 
same result. An instant later, and he was speed- 
ing downtown for the doctor, but it was half-past 
one before they were back at the house. For- 
tunately, Alice had not been wakened, and knew 
nothing of the new complication. The doctor 
made a thorough examination, and after a mo- 
ment’s absorption in silent concern pronounced 
the word “pneumonia,” and began quickly to 
prepare for action. 

The three following days in that house can bet- 
ter be imagined than described. The fever con- 
tinued above the dead line, and could not be 


268 “Four Months After Date” 


brought down, although alarming quantities of 
quinine were administered hypodermically. On 
the fourth morning Burt went down to the doc- 
tor’s office with the nurse’s report of tempera- 
ture since his last call at midnight, and the phy- 
sician paced the floor for full five minutes in 
absolute silence. 

The doctor was an old personal friend of 
Burt’s, and a man of marked attainments in his 
profession. 

“Billy,” said he, “are you going back home 
now?” 

“Doc, I can’t. I have the most important con- 
ference of my life on hand at ten o’clock. Can I 
do anything if I do go back?” 

“No, Billy, you can’t, neither can I for two 
hours yet. I will tell you the truth. Harold has 
not one chance in ten of pulling through. Only 
one thing can save him, his constitution. He 
has taken enough medicine already to kill a 
grown man, and what I am going to do now is 
to double the dose. I’ll send up word by a mes- 
senger, and call there at twelve o’clock, to stay 
until he is better or is past hope. It is brutal to 
tell you, but it is best.” 

What a frame of mind could a man be in who, 
with all the disquietude and apprehension, not to 
mention the physical exhaustion inseparable 
from the situation in which Burt found himself, 
entered upon the final conference in a negotia- 
tion, which was the culmination of a lifetime of 


“Four Months After Date” 269 

labor and thought and business engineering? It 
afterward seemed like a dream to Burt. He saw 
the men assemble and heard them talk, and 
talked himself, in what afterward seemed a dumb 
show; but thanks to Drew, who knew somewhat 
the strain he was enduring, he was called upon 
for little in the conference. Drew took the lead 
in everything, and as everything was so nearly 
completed anyway, it was less than an hour be- 
fore the legal gentlemen, who had been waiting 
in the outer office, were called in. The papers 
were then signed, certificates turned over, a big 
check made out as first payment, and the Burt- 
Drew Combination had passed into the control 
of Broadwater. When matters had proceeded 
past recall, Burt begged to be excused, and call- 
ing Drew aside, he told him to take charge of 
things, for until the crisis at home was passed he 
should not be down again. 

“Dune,” said he, “old man, the business deal 
has won, but what this day may bring forth at 
my home only God knows — my boy at the point 

of death — my wife Oh, Dune, if the boy 

dies, her reason can never survive.” 

It was an hour past noon when Burt reached 
home. A suspicious stillness pervaded every- 
thing. He let himself in quietly and made his 
way to Harold’s room. As he appeared, the doc- 
tor met him at the door, and, taking him into the 
hall, told him Harold had a chance for life. 

“I came up here fully expecting to have to 


270 “Four Months After Date” 

order the ‘ice pack,’ but the fever is slowly 
easing down, and if the boy’s constitution holds 
up, he will live. He has been and is now very 
near to death. Don’t go in, Billy. Hunt up 
Alice; she has had some trouble this morning, 
and I haven’t seen her for an hour.” 

Burt went into Alice’s room but she wasn’t 
there. He went into the nursery, went upstairs, 
asked everybody in the house. No one knew. 
Soon everybody was looking for Alice, the whole 
house was searched, and she couldn’t be found 
anywhere. Had Alice gone? No one had seen 
her for an hour. Her mother then told Billy that 
just before twelve o’clock, Alice had gone into 
Harold’s room, just as the nurse was administer- 
ing the hypodermic. She saw the flash of the in- 
strument, and instantly some insane thought had 
taken possession of her that the nurse was going 
to kill the boy, for she had not known that the 
drug had been given hypodermically. She had 
grappled with the nurse, and they struggled for 
perhaps half a minute before anyone interfered, 
and then there was difficulty in inducing Alice to 
leave the room; but she had finally gone to her 
own room, and was thought to be there still. 
Another minute search was made with no better 
result, and the full significance of the situation 
dawned on Burt with crushing force. He had 
fought his commercial fight to a brilliant ter- 
mination, but success had come a few hours too 
late to save his home. 


“Four Months After Date” 271 

In an hour, in the twinkling of an eye almost, 
Burt had changed his old asset, cheerfulness, for 
a big balance at the bank; but the new prosperity 
availed little to soothe and inspire him, as he re- 
alized that Alice had actually gone. He had no 
hope that she had simply gone out, in her excite- 
ment, to walk it down and return. He knew, 
and the physician confirmed him in knowing, 
that some insane impulse had governed Alice’s 
action. The awful strain of the past week, fol- 
lowing right on the outburst which Billy had 
barely arrived in time to help control, had of it- 
self been sufficient to overthrow the reasoning 
powers of a person so completely unstrung; but 
the last and crowning excitement provided a 
culmination which, from all Burt could gather, 
must have been piteous and dramatic in the 
extreme. 

The members of the family were reticent con- 
cerning what had taken place when Alice at- 
tacked the nurse, but all united in saying that she 
had been fearfully excited, and it must have been 
that the affair had apparently stunned them all, 
so that they had not thought of watching or fol- 
lowing Alice. The nurse bore a severe wound 
on her arm as a result of her struggle, and the 
wonder was that Alice had desisted at all. It 
seems, as near as Burt could find out, three or 
four of the family had hurried in on the sound of 
Alice’s voice, and had forced her to release the 
nurse; and Alice, having glanced around at them 


272 “Four Months After Date” 

all, had seemed to be overcome with what they 
thought was remorse, but which was probably 
absolute despair, at the insane belief that all were 
combined to take her boy from her and do him 
harm; but instead of further resistance, she, 
after a hasty glance at all present, had bowed her 
head and walked from the room. 

The high pressure of the past few days had 
also been pretty severe on Burt, and he was him- 
self wholly unfitted for any further physical or 
mental strain ; but here was the crowning misfor- 
tune, following almost instantly the crowning 
success of his life, and the horrible uncertainty 
of how to go to work to find Alice. Action, 
prompt and persevering, must, however, be 
taken, and so, after discovering as far as possible 
how Alice was clothed, Billy went to the nearest 
telephone station, and telephoned to Drew to 
meet him at Police Headquarters at once. Drew 
asked no questions over the 'phone, and about 
half an hour later they met in Mulberry Street, 
where Burt told Drew, as briefly as he could, 
what had happened. 

“You must not only report it here," said 
Drew, “but I’ll go and employ every private de- 
tective agency in town as well. If you shrink 
from the publicity, you may lose her altogether." 

Drew and Burt then interviewed the chief, 
and afterwards Drew made the rounds of all the 
reliable private detective agencies, and employed 
their services for prompt action. Billy went 


“Four Months After Date” 273 

home to consult with the doctor, who was still 
at his house, watching the little sufferer’s strug- 
gles to keep alive. 

“Billy,” said the doctor, “when you find Alice 
bring her to my house instantly, day or night, 
and if I am away hunt me up if you can. Don’t 
fail to bring her to me at once when you find her. 
I must go now. I’ll be back in three hours. The 
boy is doing better than I thought possible.” 

Billy then went out and walked the streets in 
the immediate neighborhood, in the vain hope 
that he might encounter Alice, and though he 
was completely exhausted physically, the state 
of his mind forced constant action. 

Burt had entered upon an experience in which 
human capacity for suffering is tested to its ut- 
most limit. The overpowering desolation of it 
all to him, its weird unreality, made it appear at 
times like the impression left by the description 
of another’s woes. Mingling with the awful 
homesickness of thought which consumed him, 
was the half belief that pervades a vivid dream, 
and he walked the streets as in a trance. 

Drew took charge of the practical details of 
the search for Alice, and, assisted by Ellis, suc- 
ceeded in getting all the machinery for official 
and private search which the great city afforded, 
centered on the solution of her mysterious dis- 
appearance. Night came down upon the earth 
and still the unsuccessful quest went on. Burt 
made the circuit of a small area near his home, 


274 “Four Months After Date” 

entering the house every few moments silently, 
and with a mute inquiry would turn away and 
continue his endless promenade along the 
streets, peering into doorways and basements, 
and watching every person he met. 

In this way hours passed. Burt was almost 
staggering now from physical exhaustion, but 
he could not be induced to eat. The doctor at 
times forced him to take some stimulant, but he 
would eat nothing. A carriage was kept in wait- 
ing against need. The whole household was 
straining under the tension of present disaster. 
Drew was directing all from the office down- 
town, and all reports were made to him there, so 
that a solemn stillness, as of death, shed its 
ghastly influence over the house. Words were 
spoken in whispers, passing to and fro was done 
on tiptoe, and nothing but the monotonous entry 
and departure of Burt on his rounds occurred in 
the way of incident. 

Downtown Ellis had made several hurried 
trips to various parts of the city, to investigate 
rumors and identify, if possible, some other wan- 
derer that the searchers had found ; but midnight 
passed and no news of any kind came to the si- 
lent house, on the cross street, where everybody 
waited, and hoped and feared. 

All at once, with sudden irrelevance, it oc- 
curred to Burt that this was the anniversary of 
his wedding day, and the flood of memories 
which the discovery awoke within him drove 


“Four Months After Date” 275 

deeper, if possible, the deep desolation of his 
heart. He pictured Alice as he had met, loved 
and married her — the tender, trusting girl who 
looked out upon life with an expectancy which 
equalled his own. He saw her as the boon com- 
panion during their first year of marriage, the 
jolly good fellow, who was always ready for any 
frolic, whose only thought was of him. He 
thought bitterly of the havoc wrought by moth- 
erhood, in this girl of sensitive temperament, the 
various steps by which the whole fabric of hap- 
piness and content had been swallowed up in 
the tension and turmoil of their impossible 
household, and the present culmination of the 
whole drift toward dissolution seemed to open 
up a gulf between the “then and now,” in which 
he saw himself continually struggling with his 
burden, now almost overwhelmed, now partially 
emerging from the angry waters, but always 
buoyed up by the hope in his heart that Alice 
would always love him, and that once he passed 
safely through his ordeal, they would enter once 
more the valley of peace and comfort and joy 
which full confidence and satisfaction with each 
other had made so replete with success their 
early married days. 

He saw that his own imbecility had made 
the present wreck, and he cursed himself for 
a weak-minded fool. He saw how short- 
sighted had been his haphazard course, how 
criminal his defiance of the laws of prudence, 


276 “Four Months After Date” 


for now the crucible of experience was filled 
with blighted hope, shattered intellect and 
despair. He had conspired with circumstance 
to crush an immortal soul, and had not had the 
courage to conduct himself like an honest man. 
All this ran through Burt’s mind in a confused 
jumble, and his reflections were so bitter and so 
absorbing that he lost for a few moments the 
fierce anxiety which had waited on every step he 
took. He walked along mechanically, but tem- 
porarily objectless. It must have been nearly 
three o’clock in the morning when suddenly 
there appeared around the corner, a few steps 
from him, the swaying figure of a woman, who 
supported herself by the rail which ran along 
the boundary of a prosperous home. Instantly 
Burt’s mind reverted to the object of his walk 
with numbing force ; he had not met a person for 
an hour, and no woman for several hours. He 
stopped his walk entirely and stared at this poor 
creature, whose very outline in the dimness of 
the light suggested misery, and whose presence 
there was confirmation of the thought. 

The woman had seen him also, and was hesi- 
tating. Burt advanced slowly and was just about 
to speak, when a despairing cry arose from the 
shrinking figure, which tottered and fell just as 
he reached her side. It was Alice, lying there 
prone upon the sidewalk, and though Burt had 
been searching for her the whole night, the abject 
misery of it all, helped along by his exhaustion 


“Four Months After Date” 277 


of mind and body, and the sensation of seeing 
Alice, the idol of his heart, prostrate on the 
stones, a physical and mental wreck, was so 
completely overwhelming that, as he stooped 
quickly to raise her up, he felt himself falling, and 
knew no more. 

About half an hour later, Dr. Drummond, 
who, alarmed at Billy’s prolonged absence, had 
started out to look for him, found them there, 
husband and wife, side by side, unconscious on 
the pavement, under the starlit sky. 


278 “Four Months After Date” 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

“Who is the little boy, Billy, I saw you walk- 
ing with from the window just a little while 
ago?” 

“He is a little fellow, Alice, that lives with 
Duncan and Isabel. Shall I bring him to see 
you? He is a great friend of mine; I take him 
for a walk every time I go around there.” 

“I never heard them mention him. How long 
has he been with them?” 

“They took him just a short time after their 
marriage. It was a curious thing for them to 
do, but the boy is very happy with them. His 
mother has been very ill for a long time, and 
Isabel and Dune are so fond of children, they 
took this one until the mother gets well.” 

“It is very singular they have never spoken of 
him. They are here so much, I should have 
thought they would, shouldn’t you, Billy?” 

“I don’t know, Alice. I’ve never mentioned 
him myself until now.” 

“Well, that’s funny too, Billy, since you see 
him so often. I don’t wonder he is happy with 
them, for I think those two are just perfection, 
don’t you?” 


“Four Months After Date” 279 

“They are pretty good people; Dune is the 
best fellow alive, and Isabel is a very sweet girl 
indeed. They seem very happy together.” 

“Billy, I think Isabel Drew is the best woman 
I know, and she is so attractive and graceful, 
I just love her to death.” 

“She thinks a lot of you too, Alice dear, and so 
do I.” 

“When will you bring the boy to see me, 
Billy?” 

“I’ll go around and get him this afternoon, if 
you would like to see him so much.” 

“I wish you would, Billy, and afterward you 
can tell me more about his mother. Where is 
his father?” 

“Taking care of his wife. The little chap seems 
to like me; he calls me papa.” 

“Oh! fancy you a father, Billy. Can’t you get 
him to call me mamma?” 

“You might try yourself, when you see him,” 
answered Billy. 

A year has elapsed since that terrible night 
described in the last chapter. Billy was sick from 
anxiety and overwork for a fortnight only; but 
Alice had, in falling, injured her head, and this 
accident operated in such a way as to help pre- 
serve, rather than injure her reasoning powers. 
She had been taken direct to Dr. Drummond’s, 
and just about the time that Burt recovered 
sufficiently to be about, an operation had been 


280 “Four Months After Date” 


performed on her head with the most mystify- 
ing results. She had lain in a sort of stupor 
during all that time, and after the operation, 
when she slowly began to notice things, she 
made no mention of her children, and it gradu- 
ally dawned on the doctor that something pre- 
vented her complete resumption of her life where 
it had been broken off by the severe strain she 
had gone through. She recognized Billy first 
of anybody, and feebly said to him, '‘This room 
is strange, Billy, where are we?” 

"At Doc Drummond’s, dear. You were ill, 
and we brought you here.” 

"How long have I been here, Billy?” 

"A couple of weeks, dear, but you mustn’t 
talk. I’ll tell you all about it by and by.” 

The next day Drummond suggested a plan to 
Burt, which grew out of his intense interest in 
them and his intimate knowledge of their lives. 
It was that Burt should secure his old bachelor 
quarters once more, and furnish them as nearly 
as possible the way they had been furnished, and 
as soon as Alice was well enough, they would 
take her there and open no subjects connected 
with the past, simply following her lead in every- 
thing and humoring her in every way. 

This programme was carried out with exact- 
ness, and as soon as Alice could be moved, she 
was taken to their old rooms. It had been 
necessary for Billy to pay roundly for ousting the 
occupants, but that counted for little with him 


“Four Months After Date” 281 


now, and in a very short time Alice was able to 
be around. Contrary to Billy’s fears, she gained 
physical strength rapidly, and it seemed as 
though the rest her brain was receiving, oper- 
ated to a wonderful extent to take her back in ap- 
pearance several years. By the time they had 
been living in their old quarters two months, 
Alice was well in every way but her memory. 
She seemed to have little curiosity about the 
past, and if some of the things in the apartment 
were not quite the same, she took Billy’s impro- 
vised explanation with apparent good faith, and 
seemed to enjoy every minute of their lives. 

One day about this time she said, “Billy, you 
don’t go downtown to business any more; why 
is that?” 

“I am taking my vacation, Alice, I never had 
any before, and I’m putting it in looking after 
you. What do you say to a trip on the warmer 
seas? It is pretty cold here now, and you are 
not entirely well. Suppose we go to the Mediter- 
ranean ports for a cruise?” 

“Why, Billy, it costs a lot. Can we afford it, 
and can you stay away from business so long?” 

“I made a good turn, Alice, with Drew about 
the time you were taken sick, and he is looking 
after the business for me. Besides, we made 
quite a lot of money and eased things up.” 

The result of this was that, within two weeks, 
they sailed to warmer climates and spent the 
winter there, pushing up north in the spring, and 


282 “Four Months After Date” 


returning to New York the following fall, taking 
up their abode once more in the old apartments, 
which had been beautified and made the cosiest 
place imaginable. Alice had corresponded with 
her mother, directing her letters to her old home, 
from which place they were forwarded, and Mrs. 
Warren’s answers postmarked; but not a mem- 
ber of her family had been permitted to see her, 
and none cf their old friends, except Dr. Drum- 
mond and Duncan Drew, who became the hus- 
band of Isabel Clarkson within two months after 
the culmination of the big business deal in which 
they were all interested. Drew brought Isabel to 
see Alice, and the two women became very close 
friends. 

Less than a month after their marriage, Isabel 
had proposed to Dune that they take care of 
Burt’s children until such time as Alice could 
take care of them herself, and Drew had heartily 
seconded the idea, as indeed he did everything 
that Isabel suggested, and so Billy had had the 
children turned over to them, compromising with 
the grandparents and aunts by agreeing to take 
or send Harold and little Alice to them every 
clear day. And so time had worn along for a 
year, and Alice had made no sign, but Billy was 
hopeful and Drummond had cautioned him to 
keep the children away from her sight until he 
gave him leave. So now, when Alice had be- 
come interested in the boy, he took himself to 
Drummond’s office and consulted with him over 


“Four Months After Date” 283 

the probable effect, for Harold would surely 
recognize his mother, and no one could tell 
whether it would be for good or ill. 

“This must be carefully managed, Billy/' said 
Drummond, “there must be no shock.” 

“You must be there, Doc, to help pull things 
through if they get beyond my depth. I feel very 
shaky about this thing.” 

“I do too, Billy. It’s taking a risk. You and 
Alice are so happy now, can you be any happier 
after she recognizes her children?” 

“No, Doc, and I am afraid of the risk. I have 
promised to take Harold to see her to-day, but 
it seems impossible that -she can see and talk to 
him without the truth being manifest to her. The 
tie that binds the heart of that mother to her 
boy is one that neither you nor I can under- 
stand; but the beginning of the end is here 
as soon as she sees Harold, even if the little fel- 
low can keep from showing that he recognizes 
her.” 

“Don’t you think you’d better leave well 
enough alone, Billy?” 

“I’m afraid of taking the responsibility of sep- 
arating those two any longer, Doc. I know the 
thought is born of selfishness in a way, and with 
Alice in such splendid health, I feel that matters 
should now take their course. If I play the cow- 
ard and keep them apart, something will surely 
happen to put the action in a wrong light. No, 
I don’t dare fight it off any longer.” 


284 “Four Months After Date” 


“Does Alice remember anything at all about 
recent years? Does she ask any questions that 
indicate a working toward recollection ?” 

“She seems to have no thought for events or 
people or things that are not suggested by some- 
thing she sees, except for the period prior to 
Harold’s birth, and she doesn’t seem inquisitive 
about things that have changed, neither does she 
ask about people we used to see. She is per- 
fectly happy, though, and if I dared I would 
keep things as they are forever; but I am sure 
the step must be taken sometime, and I think 
ought not be put off.” 

“This is a most curious case, Billy, and there 
is no logic to work on. I cannot predict the re- 
sult of bringing Harold to see her, but I suppose 
you are right in saying that things must take 
their course. The rest Alice’s mind has had dur- 
ing this past year, and the ideal life you have led 
during that time, have prepared her so well 
physically, that if you are going to start her 
memory, you couldn’t find a better time than 
now.” 

“She has taken everything as a matter of 
course so far, Doc, and I earnestly hope it will 
not be too much to expect that she will, if she 
recognizes Harold and little Alice — for I am go- 
ing to have them both brought in — realize the 
situation only partially at first, and gradually 
come to an understanding of it without shock.” 

“I am deeply interested in it in every way, 


“Four Months After Date” 285 


Billy, personally and professionally, and will do 
all I can to prevent anything serious following. ,, 

“Well, you happen in about three o’clock this 
afternoon, and I’ll bring the boy around about 
half an hour later. Shall I try to keep Harold 
from showing recognition of his mother?” 

“I don’t think I would, Billy. If this is to be 
done at all, it had better take its natural course.” 

While Alice sat talking to Dr. Drummond that 
afternoon, Burt came in with Harold. Isabel also 
had come along, to be ready to assist if she were 
needed. The little fellow was very handsomely 
dressed in a suit of blue, with his blond hair 
only partially concealed by his cap, looking very 
pretty indeed. 

“Here is my little friend, Alice,” said Burt. 

“What a pretty boy, Isabel! Come and see 
me, little sweetheart. What’s your name?” 

Harold stood looking earnestly at Alice, but 
said nothing. 

“Won’t you sit on my lap and tell me your 
name?” 

“He’s a little bashful, Alice,” said Isabel, “but 
he’ll make friends pretty soon, won’t you, Har- 
old?” 

Alice made a slight movement at the mention 
of the name, but gave no other sign. Harold 
had edged away a little. 

“Harold? Is your name Harold?” 

“Of course my name is Harold, mamma ; 
don’t you remember it?” 


286 “Four Months After Date” 


Everybody present started slightly and looked 
expectantly at Alice, whose face flushed and 
grew pale by turns. Finally she said, “Who told 
you to call me mamma — did Aunt Isabel?” 

“Why, nobody told me. Don’t you suppose I 
know my mamma? You’ve been awful sick for 
an awful long time; I don’t know how long, but 
papa knows, don’t you papa?” 

Harold had gone close to Alice while making 
his reply, and was climbing into her lap. Alice 
bent down and kissed him. Her eyes filled with 
tears. Then Harold’s arms were around her 
neck, and they were holding each other close. 
Not a word was spoken. Dr. Drummond was 
eagerly watching them. Burt had broken down 
completely. Isabel had turned away. 

“Are you coming to live at my house now, 
mamma? You’re awful pretty, mamma. Sis- 
ter’s been a bad girl. What are you crying for, 
mamma? Papa said you were sick. Are you 
sick now? Are you crying because you are sick? 
Uncle Doctor makes people well. Can’t you 
make my mamma well, Uncle Doctor?” 

Still no one could speak. Alice was trembling 
violently. On a motion from Drummond, Burt 
went over to take Harold, but Alice held him 
tight and wouldn’t release him. Billy knelt 
down beside them. 

“What makes everybody cry, papa? Aunt 
Isabel, what makes you cry?” 

Drummond had disappeared for a moment. 


“Four Months After Date” 287 


In an instant he came back with Drew and little 
Alice. 

"‘Here’s sister, mamma. Don’t squeeze me so 
tight.” 

Alice dropped one arm from Harold and it fell 
on Billy’s shoulder. Billy was looking earnestly 
into her eyes. The little girl stood a moment, 
then she climbed up alongside of Harold and put 
her hand on Alice’s neck. 

“Don’t you like me, mamma? Are you thick, 
mamma? Want to kith you, mamma. Won’t 
you tell me little boy story, mamma?” 

Still Alice said not a word, but suddenly she 
kissed both the children passionately, fiercely, 
and pressed them to her heart. The tears 
were streaming down her cheeks; she covered 
her face with both hands. Isabel came and led 
the children into another room, Drew and 
Drummond followed. Billy and Alice were 
alone. 

For a long time neither spoke, finally Alice 
asked, almost inaudibly: “Was I dreaming just 
now, Billy, or is it all true, and are my dreams 
true? Oh, what does it all mean?” 

“It is all real, Alice; these are our children, 
Harold and Alice. You’ve been sick a long 
time.” 

Alice dropped back in her chair, looking pale 
and scared, Burt, still on his knees by her side, 
held her hand, but said nothing. 

Twice Alice essayed to speak, but could not. 


288 “Four Months After Date” 


“Can’t you remember, dear?” asked Billy, 
gently. 

Another silence followed, then Alice putting 
both arms around Billy’s neck, whispered bro- 
kenly, “I think I know now, Billy; don’t take 
them away again.” 


THE END. 
















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